RWANDA Athletics Federation has started training for athletes who will compete in this year’s Africa Cross Country Championships due in Kampala, Uganda and the IAAF World half marathon set to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Twenty athletes have been lined up for the Africa cross country championship due on March 16 at Kololo Ceremonial Ground, Kampala, Uganda.

The national cross country team is comprised of four teams including senior men and women as well as junior teams in the boys’ and girls’ categories.

Meanwhile, four athletes are preparing for the Denmark World event due on March 29.

They include; Alexis Nizeyimana from Kamonyi Athletics club, Felicien Muhitira from Nyamasheke, APR’s Hussein Habumugisha and Felix Ntirenganya from Police.

The two teams under the tutelage of coaches Innocent Rwabuhihi and Emmanuel Murenzi are training from Rulindo.

Speaking to Times Sport yesterday, Rwanda Athletics Federation’s technical director Jean Pierre Ndacyayisenga said, "We have engaged the two teams in residential training camp as they prepare for the upcoming championships.”

On the team for the Africa Cross Country Championships, Potien Ntawuyirushintege from NAS has been replaced in the Men’s 12km with Eric Sebahire. Ntawuyirushintege will instead compete in the Egypt half marathon due in March.

Other athletes in the senior men’s 12km event include; Leonidas Baganizi [NAS], Sept Nshumbusho [NAS] Godefrey Rutayisire [APR] and Noel Hitimana [APR].

The women 8km team is comprised of Clementine Mukandanga [NAS], Fortune Manirafasha [NAS], Emilienne Muragijimana [NAS], Pelagie Musengimana [APR] and Blandine Uwamariya [Rulindo].

The junior boys’ team includes; David Gakuru [NAS], Theophile Bigirimana [NAS], Jean Bosco Niyodusenga [Kamonyi], Eric Turikunkiko [VJN] and Jean Marie Vianney Myasiro[MC] in the boys 8km

The girls 6km team is made up of; Marthe Yankurije [Nyamasheke], Rosette Twambazimana [NAS], Cynthia Mahoro [NAS], Angelique Tuyishimire [VJN] and Claudine Nyiransengiyumva.