Rwanda National Police

Police Handball Club overcame their all-time competitor, APR, on Saturday beating them 36-29 to be crowned the 2018 the National Handball League champions.

The two sides faced-off in the last match of the 2018 national championship well knowing that a win by either side would automatically crown them champions, despite the law enforcers carrying a two-point advantage into the last game.

It was a repeat of last year when Police and APR also faced-off in their last match. Although the former came into the last game with two-point lead, a win by APR gave them the trophy.

The story was different this time, though. "Last year's situation was a big lesson for us," said Police coach, Senior Sgt. Dismas Turatsinze.

In a highly spirited encounter, at Kimisagara Youth Centre, Police players put a stunning and collective show which payed off to be crowned champions for the sixth record time.

Turatsinze's side scored 19-15 goals in first half before registering the same score in the second half of the game to make it 36-29 before the final whistle.

The law enforcers, who have dominated the local sport for more than eight years, raises the trophy with an unbeaten record, a record they have broken for the third time in the last five seasons.

It becomes their fourth trophy in the cabin this season. They also won the Heroes Cup, Genocide Memorial Cup and EAPCCO Cup.

Turatsinze thanked the players for the "teamwork and determination" they displayed.

“Any coach, am happy for the players, they showcased an extraordinary winning spirit not only to be champions but also to win it unbeaten," he said. "You expect such results from players that listen and implement what they are told. This is what my players did and indeed their discipline and a combination of other factors finally paid off."

"They showed great enthusiasm to take more trophies but equally importantly displaying some entertaining shows,” said Turatsinze.

He said the team is going continue with intensive preparations ahead of the Carre' d' As tournament in a week's time. 

Carre' d' As tournament features the top four teams