The event, co-organised with Peace and Sport, will see young people aged nine to 16 from Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo compete in the town of Bugarama.

"I'm proud that Rwanda is hosting these Games for the first time in its history," Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) President Robert Bayigamba said.

"The African Great Lakes have long been beset by conflict and I'm confident that sport can help us reinforce the friendships that we now share with our neighbours.

"Since 2010, Peace and Sport has lent its expertise to building the success of this project, aimed at youngsters from bordering countries Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

"Together, through sport, we're working to build peace for future generations."

The three-day competition will be the sixth edition of the African Great Lakes Friendship Games, which attempts to bring the neighbouring countries together through sporting events.

RNOSC President Robert Bayigamba (right), pictured with Yves Jamoneau. programme coordinator for Peace and Sport, is confident the African Great Lakes Friendship Games will help reinforce relationships between neighbouring countries ©Peace and Sport



"We are delighted that Rwanda is fully involved in organizing the Friendship Games," Peace and Sport President and founder Joël Bouzou added.

"The Games have well and truly made their mark as a major peace-building and peace-promotion through sport event in the African Great Lakes region.

"Over the three days of festivities, high-ranking representatives of the different countries come together to exchange and strong friendship ties and respect are built among the hundreds of participants.

"For these young people, the Games are now an unmissable yearly event showing them that they are just like their neighbours, with the same aspirations and challenges."

Last year's competition took place from August 15 to 17 in Gihanga, Burundi.

Rwanda securing the rights to stage the 2015 event could be the start of a bright sporting future for the country after the RNOSC outlined an ambitious development plan at the Africa International Sports Convention (CISA), including the unveiling of plans to build an Olympic Hub in the capital.

Earlier in 2015, the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) worked alongside Peace and Sport by fundraising for the African Great Lakes Friendship Games by selling photos to participants during the festival.

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