Rwanda National Police

Police Handball Club was on Saturday crowned the 2019 champions after overcoming APR 31-26 in the second leg of the National Handball Championship.

The law enforcers, who came into the 2019 season as defending champions, made the mark following their 35-31 win in the first leg.

Both teams made it to the finals after eliminating their opponents in play-offs.

It was a tense and physical second leg at Amahoro stadium as both sides tied at 15 goals at the end of the first period, but the final whistle left Police Handball Club standing out following back-to-back goals to set a 6-goal difference.

Inspector of Police (IP) Antoine Ntabanganyimana didn't change his line that started in the first leg.

Police came into the finals seeking a consolation after losing the Genocide Memorial Cup to APR back in April.

The crown took Police Handball Club to record seven championships, all won between 2011 and 2019.

"The loss in the finals of the Genocide Memorial Cup taught us a lesson; we learnt from those mistakes and players were also determined not to lose twice to the same team, that spirit drove us to success," coach Ntabanganyimana said.

"The National Handball Championship is growing, all local teams are becoming stronger every season and that means a lot to handball in Rwanda. It means we are building teams that can compete in the region and beyond," Ntabanganyimana observed.

Police will represent Rwanda in Africa Handball Champions League due in October in Cape Verde.

Police captain, Cpl. Gilbert Mutuyimana thanked his fellow players for the "winning spirit" throughout the season.

"We had everything we wanted from Rwanda National Police leadership, so the championship was ours to lose," Mutuyimana said.