Sports journalist Jean Lambert Gatare passed away on the night of Friday into Saturday after a long battle with illness. He died in India where he had gone for medical treatment.
Gatare was widely recognized for his work in sports journalism, starting with Radio Rwanda in 1995. In 2011, he moved to Isango Star, where he hosted sports programs, including Rayon Time, a show dedicated to news about Rayon Sports. In 2020, he was appointed as the interim manager of Rushyashya newspaper.
Jean Lambert Gatare will be remembered for his unique talent in giving players nicknames, such as Igikurankota for Bokota and Bakame for Ndayishimiye Eric. He was also a passionate fan of Rayon Sports, which he considered his heart’s team.
In addition to these, he was known for giving special names to players from the Rubavu region, calling it “Bresil” due to the football talent coming from there. Players like Haruna Niyonzima (Fabregas), Hakizimana Muhadjiri, Bizimana Djihadi, Sibomana Abdoul, and many others were among those he fondly nicknamed.
