Most Popular Sports in Rwanda

1. Football (Soccer)

Undisputed #1. National team: Amavubi. Multiple Africa Cup of Nations appearances. Notable players: Eric Murangwa, Olivier Karekezi, Dady Birori.

2. Basketball

Rapidly growing. National team: Patriots. Regular AfroBasket contenders. NBA alumni: Walter Hodge, Kenny Manigault. Basketball Africa League (BAL) games hosted in Kigali.

3. Volleyball

Popular in schools and beaches. Men's and women's national teams: East Africa champions; All-Africa Games participants. Kigali Volleyball Club (now disbanded) dominated domestically.

4. Cycling

Surge since Tour du Rwanda revival (2008). UCI 2.1 stage race attracts global peloton. Rwandan riders (e.g., Joseph Areruya) turn pro internationally.

5. Rugby

Introduced post-2008 as reconciliation tool. National 7s and 15s teams compete in Africa Rugby tournaments.

6. Handball

Women's national club team won 2019 African Handball Women's Club Winners' Cup; qualified for World Championships.

Emerging

Athletics (long-distance), taekwondo, cricket, and paralympic sports gaining traction via school programs and federation investment.