FIVE LOCAL Karate clubs and two from the DR Congo border town of Goma will participate in a two-day friendly tournament this weekend in Rubavu District.

The five from Rwanda include; APR, Police, University of Rwanda (UR) and two Rubavu-based clubs – Mudende and Zen Karate-Do. The Congolese sides are Lion and Delta Force.

The UR team, however, hope to use the event, jointly organised by Rubavu District and Zen Karate-Do club, as a warm up for the East African inter-university games due in Kampala, Uganda on December 15.

"After the Rubavu tournament, our focus will turn on the games in Uganda. We know that APR, Police, Zen and the Congolese teams are strong but we are ready to show what we’re capable of,” said Didier Gaga Rukorera, assistant coach of the Huye-based UR team.

Zen Karate-do coach Amir Bagabo said: "It is good for Rwandan and Congolese teams to meet and share their techniques and we are happy to host the competition.”