Amputee football offers a sense of community and healing in Rwanda, a country that went through its darkest time in 1994 during its genocide. The seven-a-side version of soccer sees players roam the field on crutches and goalkeepers with one arm. The sport has grown steadily over the past decade in Rwanda.
China's top envoy meets with Iran's in Beijing as Trump pauses US effort in the StraitSeveral Indiana state senators who opposed Trump's redistricting efforts lose primariesTrump says he's paused US effort to guide stranded vessels out of Strait of HormuzArsenal reaches its first Champions League final in 20 years as Saka's goal seals win over AtleticoWall Street rallies to records after oil prices ease and corporate profits keep topping expectationsNipper, stay!
The future of a beloved dog statue on a New York warehouse is up in the airViral phenomenon in Argentina has young people identifying themselves as animalsDear Readers: Yes, pen pal programs still exist in a digital worldA PGA golfer took his shirt off and approached a gator-filled hazard. AP's photographer was readyCalifornia investigates Trump administration's deal to end an offshore wind projectWhat is hantavirus, the infection that killed Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman’s wife? Not ready for robots in homes?
The maker of a friendly new humanoid thinks it might change your mindDear Readers: Yes, pen pal programs still exist in a digital worldInside 'Scientology speedruns,' the viral trend prompting the church to bolster securityEstrenos de verano: Nolan, Spider-Man y"Toy Story" iluminan los cinesHow a deadly hantavirus outbreak unfolded on a cruise ship for weeks before it was identifiedThe Afternoon WireFormer Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs is found not guilty of assaulting his private chefStefon Diggs' acquittal clears path for return to the field but he could still face NFL disciplineInside the Met Gala, an Olympic champion learns just how famous she's becomeWall Street rallies to records after oil prices ease and corporate profits keep topping expectationsNipper, stay!
The future of a beloved dog statue on a New York warehouse is up in the airViral phenomenon in Argentina has young people identifying themselves as animalsDear Readers: Yes, pen pal programs still exist in a digital worldA PGA golfer took his shirt off and approached a gator-filled hazard. AP's photographer was readyCalifornia investigates Trump administration's deal to end an offshore wind projectWhat is hantavirus, the infection that killed Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman’s wife? Not ready for robots in homes?
The maker of a friendly new humanoid thinks it might change your mindDear Readers: Yes, pen pal programs still exist in a digital worldInside 'Scientology speedruns,' the viral trend prompting the church to bolster securityEstrenos de verano: Nolan, Spider-Man y"Toy Story" iluminan los cinesWorld NewsSoccer players on the Rwanda Amputee team take part in a training session in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, March 20, 2026. Soccer players on the Rwanda Amputee team take part in a training session in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Soccer players on the Rwanda Amputee team pose for a selfie after a training session in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, March 20, 2026. A soccer player on the Rwanda Amputee team takes part in a training session in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, March 20, 2026. Soccer players on the Rwanda Amputee team take part in a training session in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Soccer players on the Rwanda Amputee team take part in a training session in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, March 20, 2026. Soccer players on the Rwanda Amputee team take part in a training session in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, March 20, 2026. Soccer players on the Rwanda Amputee team take part in a training session in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Soccer players on the Rwanda Amputee team pose for a selfie after a training session in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, March 20, 2026. Soccer players on the Rwanda Amputee team pose for a selfie after a training session in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, March 20, 2026. A soccer player on the Rwanda Amputee team takes part in a training session in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, March 20, 2026.
A soccer player on the Rwanda Amputee team takes part in a training session in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, March 20, 2026. KIGALI, Rwanda — The players struck their crutches against each other as they chased a soccer ball, as well as a larger dream of competing at the global level. Children shrieked in joy as they watched a goalie dive to block an attempt with her remaining hand.
Amputee football, a seven-a-side version of the game in which players roam the field on crutches and goalkeepers have one arm, has grown steadily inover the past decade. Players say they have found a community on the field after embracing a sport some never imagined they could play. For many, it offers not only physical rehabilitation but also a sense of belonging.
In the capital Kigali, amputees play to foster healing and social cohesion after traumas that include the country’s darkest period: theNyiraneza Solange was born two years after the genocide and lost her leg at the age of 5 after falling and developing an infection. She said the resilience shown by people who lost limbs during the genocide attracted her to amputee football.
She was encouraged by the former coach of the country’s first amputee football team, who told her she could use her crutches to play. She quickly left any fear behind.
“I don’t even think about I don’t have a leg,” said Solange, explaining that she feels free while playing and has overcome the stigma that accompanies being an amputee. Rwanda is estimated to have more than 3,000 lower-limb amputees. Some are victims of the genocide. Others are survivors of road accidents or illness.
Louise Kwizera, the vice president of the Rwanda Amputee Football Federation, said the sport enables players to learn to trust again, building unity in a society that “was once divided. ” “In communities affected by conflict or trauma, the playing field becomes a place of peace. People who may have different pasts come together as teammates,” Kwizera told The Associated Press.
Rwanda hopes to take part next year in the second women’s amputee football World Cup, an invitational event expected to be held in Poland or Brazil. Rwanda was represented by only a single player at the first edition of the competition in 2024. The sport, governed by the World Amputee Football Federation, is played in more than 50 countries. Rwanda now has five women’s professional teams and 10 for men.
Haitian women’s amputee football team manager Fred Sorrels, who visited Rwanda to help develop the local program, said he was rooting for the East African country to host a World Cup. But the country’s sports ministry said it has yet to make a formal bid.
“It’s a win psychologically and mentally for these ladies to have an opportunity to experience wholeness and wellness again,” he said. Gilbert Muvunyi Manier, the Rwandan sports ministry’s director general of sports development, called the sport a “powerful tool” for healing, reconciliation and social cohesion.
“It’s hard to save the ball when it goes to the side with the receding hand,” goalkeeper Nikuze Angelique said. Like Solange, she described a sense of community found on the field.https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the AP’sMusambi is an Associated Press reporter based in Nairobi, Kenya.
She covers regional security, geopolitics, trade relations and foreign policy across East Africa.301
Rwanda Genocide General News Sports Lifestyle Kigali FIFA Womens World Cup Fred Sorrels World News Louise Kwizera Gilbert Muvunyi Manier
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Brooklyn judiciary reflects on MLK's 'American dream' for Law DayIn recognition of Brooklyn Supreme Court’s Law Day, New York Chief Judge Rowan Wilson asked the county’s judiciary to reflect on the wisdom of an lesser-known
Read more »
What I Learned While Interviewing Teens at American DreamOur writer spent three days at American Dream Mall in New Jersey interviewing teenagers about what they were shopping for.
Read more »
‘Michael’ Breakout KeiLyn Durrel Jones Explains Why the New Ending Was an “Astonishing Dream Come True”Like many of the cast, the actor behind bodyguard Bill Bray returned for extensive reshoots to reconfigure the third act: 'I think they handled it with grace and aplomb .'
Read more »
Lindsey Vonn ditches crutches at Met Gala 2026 for first red carpet since devastating Olympics crashMike “The Situation” Sorrentino speaks out after a concerning viral video of Ronnie Ortiz-Magro during a recent interview. Darrell Sheets’ ex-wife Kimber Wuerfel breaks her silence following the “Storage Wars” star’s death as the investigation continues.
Read more »
Lindsey Vonn Ditches Crutches for 1st Time at 2026 Met Gala After Nearly Losing Her Leg at OlympicsOlympian Lindsey Vonn hit the 2026 Met Gala following her devastating crash at the Winter Olympics, which nearly resulted in the loss of her leg
Read more »
Wrexham's Premier League dream is on pause but ambitions remain highWrexham’s dream of playing in the Premier League is on pause after the team failed to get into the playoffs in the Championship. Yet there’s so much to look forward to for Wrexham's players and the team's growing fanbase as the Welsh club continues its thrilling journey under celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac.
Read more »