In the lush, protected landscapes of Nyandungu Park, a new chapter in Rwandan sports is unfolding one that blends athletic challenge with deep environmental respect. Disc golf, a sport already popular in many parts of the world, is making its formal debut in Rwanda through a promising partnership between Nyandungu Park and the Paul McBeth Foundation.
Kambogo Ildephonse, manager of Nyandungu park, explained why the location is ideal:
“Disc golf is a game played in environmentally protected areas, which is why we found it to be good. That is the reason the gentleman named McBeth, representing the Paul McBeth Foundation, wished for us to have an agreement so that this sport can begin here in Rwanda.”
He emphasized that Nyandungu’s commitment to conservation makes it the perfect setting.
“We found it suitable here at Nyandungu because we have programs to protect the environment. We found that playing it in places that conserve the environment is the best.”
“That is why you have seen that wherever you play it, the disc can go over a tree or pass through a tree, but you continue and win. It is a game that goes with places of environmental protection, and that is also why you enjoy places that are conserved.”
The game itself is elegantly simple yet mentally demanding. Players receive a disc and must navigate a course dotted with baskets placed at varying levels of difficulty. The objective is to sink the disc into the basket in the fewest throws possible, all while moving through nature.
“They give you a disc and there are baskets placed in different places, some in difficult spots to throw into,” Kambogo noted.
“They teach you how to do it. It is clear that it exercises the mind because as you throw, you follow it until you put it in the basket. The fewer throws you use to get it in, the more you win. It helps you follow that disc and put it in the basket, and at the same time you enjoy the beauty of the place where the game is played.”
Representing the Paul McBeth Foundation and serving as East Africa coordinator for the Professional Disc Golf Association, Israel Mwanguzi from Uganda highlighted the sport’s unique philosophy.
“This golf is very unique in a way that it respects the environment. We work with nature. We put strict rules on environment, biodiversity, trees, and those organisms we have to co-exist with them. We are a sport that is very conscious. We work in areas with trees, plants. That’s unique.”
Mwanguzi stressed that environmental stewardship is not optional but embedded in the rules. Equally important is the sport’s focus on young people.
“We involve kids in this, because sustainability kids you have them today but you don’t have them tomorrow. Personally, I am a sportsman but I began that when I was a kid. So when you want future players, professional players, they are the kids you see right now. Believe in nature talents from the time when somebody is still young.”
He added that the benefits extend far beyond the physical:
“Other profits are that it helps them to grow mentally, critical thinking, to keep physically fit, give them exposure. And the kids are very intentional because they are the stars of tomorrow.”
By bringing disc golf to Nyandungu, Rwanda is not only introducing a fresh, accessible sport but also reinforcing its national values of environmental conservation and youth empowerment.
In a game where every throw must work in harmony with nature, the sport itself becomes a living lesson in sustainability one that promises to shape both the environment and the champions of the future.
Naomi Irakoze Mugaragu