24–30 August 2026 | Mahama Refugee Camp, Kirehe District From August 24 to 30, Mahama Refugee Camp came alive with energy, teamwork, and celebration as the 4th edition of the Inter-Camp Tournament brought together 725 young athletes from 46 teams, representing 8 communities across Rwanda, to compete in 6 disciplines. As one of the partners supporting this year's edition, Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle (VJN) was proud to be part of a week filled with sports, fun, talent, and friendship.
24–30 August 2026 | Mahama Refugee Camp, Kirehe District
From August 24 to 30, Mahama Refugee Camp came alive with energy, teamwork, and celebration as the 4th edition of the Inter-Camp Tournament brought together 725 young athletes from 46 teams, representing 8 communities across Rwanda, to compete in 6 disciplines.
As one of the partners supporting this year's edition, Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle (VJN) was proud to be part of a week filled with sports, fun, talent, and friendship.
A Tournament Rooted in Community
The Inter-Camp Tournament is organized by the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), in collaboration with the UNHCR Rwanda and partners. Now in its 4th edition, the tournament has grown into one of the most anticipated events on the calendar for refugee children and youth across the country.
This year's edition brought together teams from:
- Mahama Refugee Camp (Kirehe District) — host community
- Nyabiheke Refugee Camp (Gatsibo District)
- Mugombwa Refugee Camp (Gisagara District)
- Kiziba Refugee Camp (Karongi District)
- Kigeme Refugee Camp (Nyamagabe District)
- Nkamira Transit Center (Rubavu District)
- ETM Gashora (Bugesera District)
- Urban Refugees (City of Kigali)
Together, these 8 communities fielded 46 teams and 725 participants, competing across six disciplines: Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Seat ball, Karate, and Taekwondo.
More Than a Game
For the refugee children and youth who took part, the tournament offered far more than competition. Held during the school holidays, it provided a safe, constructive, and engaging space — helping young people stay away from harmful activities while nurturing a genuine passion for sports.
Beyond the games themselves, the tournament served as a platform for:
- Community awareness, bringing camps and host districts together around a shared celebration
- Talent development, giving young athletes a stage to discover and showcase their abilities
- Confidence building, through fair competition, teamwork, and healthy rivalry
- Connection and friendship, as young people from different camps and backgrounds met, competed, and bonded
VJN's Role: Beyond the Games
At Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle, our involvement in the Inter-Camp Tournament reflects a belief we hold at the core of our work: that young people thrive when they are given spaces to discover, nurture, and develop their talents.
Through our participation, we aim to help create environments where young athletes don't just compete — they also build confidence, explore future career opportunities, and form meaningful connections that extend beyond the tournament itself.
Events like this one are a powerful reminder of what's possible when government institutions, humanitarian partners, and community organizations come together around the wellbeing and potential of young people.
Looking Ahead
As the 4th edition of the Inter-Camp Tournament comes to a close, we celebrate not just the winners on the scoreboard, but every young athlete who showed up, competed with heart, and walked away with new friendships and renewed confidence.
Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle remains committed to supporting initiatives that empower refugee children and youth across Rwanda, and we look forward to being part of many more editions to come.
Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle (VJN) was proud to partner in the 4th Inter-Camp Tournament, organized by MINEMA in collaboration with UNHCR Rwanda and partners
