THE National Paralympic Committee (NPC) is set to start early preparations to ensure that Rwanda qualifies for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The development comes after Gisagara and Nyarugenge sitting volleyball clubs won the East and Central Africa sitting volleyball club championship held in Kenya recently.

Speaking to Saturday Sport yesterday, NPC president Celestin Nzeyimana said: "We are soon assembling our men and women national teams to start early preparations ahead of next year’s Africa Olympic & Paralympic pre-qualification events.”

The women’s qualifying tournament will be held in Kenya, while the men’s tourney will be either in Kenya or Egypt.

 "Our mission is to have one of our national teams or both qualifying for 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and we are doing everything to achieve this target,” added Nzeyimana.

The national teams in both categories will be picked from Gisagara and Nyarugenge teams which reigned in the regional club tournament.

Gisagara, the men’s team, defeated Kenya’s Nyayo Club 3-1 (25-15, 24-26, 25-22, 25-23) in a tight contest final while the women side, Nyarugenge beat experienced Muthurwa 3-2 (25-16, 25-23, 20-25, 17-25, 15-7) to take home the trophy.