Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-17 14:34:11
The tragic news of Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana’s passing in a road accident that also claimed the life of world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum has shocked the athletics community. The body of the late coach was due to leave the country on Saturday for Kigali, where a final farewell will take place on Wednesday.
On Saturday, the family of the coach and Athletics Kenya officials collected his body at Eldoret Hospital Mortuary. They then made their way to Eldoret International Airport, from where the body was expected to depart via Jambo Jet to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. From Nairobi, RwandAir was scheduled to transport the body to Kigali.
According to Athletics Kenya Youth Development Director Barnaba Korir, the entire process has been smooth, with the Kenyan government providing assistance to ensure a swift and seamless repatriation. He expressed gratitude to the government, particularly Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, for their support throughout the proceedings.
Korir also mentioned the attendance of Golazo CEO Bob Verbeeck and others who were expected to travel to Rwanda to support the late coach’s family during the burial. He emphasized the shock and sorrow felt across the globe, stressing the close bond between Hakizimana and Kiptum. Korir attributed Kiptum’s record-breaking success in the Chicago Marathon to the coach’s diligent guidance and influence.
The director shared that he had a long-standing relationship with coach Hakizimana, who had helped him pursue studies in the USA. He also revealed that the late Kiptum’s burial was scheduled for the following Friday, with high-ranking government officials and key stakeholders in the athletics community anticipated to be in attendance.
The other individuals present at the mortuary to collect the coach’s body included Uwase Sandrine, Boniface Nsengiyumva, and Christine Ntakirutimana, Hakizimana’s sister. The late coach’s widow, Joan Chelimo, was also present to oversee the repatriation of her husband’s remains.
Gervais Hakizimana, 37, was not only a well-respected coach but also held the Rwandan national record in the 3,000m steeplechase race. A native of Nyaruguru, Rwanda, Hakizimana first visited Kenya in 2006 and later competed at the World Cross Championships in Mombasa in 2007. He achieved a national record time of 8:39.05 in the 3,000m steeplechase event.
After an unsuccessful attempt at the marathon, Hakizimana transitioned into coaching and began training Kelvin Kiptum in 2019. The sudden loss of these two exceptional individuals has cast a shadow over the athletics community, leaving many grieving and in disbelief over their untimely departure. As plans are made for their final journey to rest, their memories and contributions to the sport will be cherished and remembered by all whose lives they touched.
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