National volleyball team head coach Paul Bitok is excited after helping two Rwandan teams qualify for this year’s Youth Olympic Games set for August 16 to 28 in Nanjing, China.

The former Kenyan international guided the pair of Seraphine Mukantambara and Lea Uwimbabazi to the African youth girls’ title in Ghana last weekend, while the boys’ duo of Justin Munyinya and Sylvestre Ndayisaba also qualified. Ghana won the boys’ title.

Bitok said hard work was the key to his team’s success in Ghana but warned of tougher challenges at the Olympics.

"They all fought like warriors and I am proud of their achievement. I congratulate them for the win and we now look forward to the Olympics with more enthusiasm and willingness to learn more at the bigger stage in Nanjing,” Bitok said.

Rwanda boys beat Egypt 2-1 in a controversial classification match on Sunday. Also on Sunday, Bitok’s boys beat Congo Brazzaville 2-1 (21-10, 16-21, 15-13) and lost 1-2 to Nigeria (18-21, 21-16 and 14-16), a day after they beat Namibia 2-0 and lost to Sierra Leone 2-1 in the group stages.

The girls’ team lifted the continental title after beating Namibia 2-1 in the final. In the semifinals, they beat hosts Ghana 2-0 (21-9 and 21-14), while at the group stages, Rwanda beat Mauritius 2-1 (21-18,21-13) and lost to Namibia 0-2 (23-21).

The Rwanda teams returned home yesterday.