REIGNING NATIONAL men’s 10000m champion Eric Sebahire is confident about his chances of successfully defending his title at this year’s national athletics championships scheduled for today at the Amahoro stadium.

Sebahire told Saturday Sports that, "I have been training hard and defending my national title is the only thought on my mind right now.”

The 31-year-old two-time national champion is aware of the complex competition but believes his experience will come into play against his rivals.

The Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) president Jean Damascene Nkezabo revealed the one-day event will predominantly have track events from short, middle to long distance events as well as field events including jumping and throwing.

Eight clubs including; SEC Academy, Nyamasheke, APR, Rwamagana, Rubavu-based Vision Jeunesse, Gicumbi-based Mountain Classic, New Athletics Stars based in Kicukiro and Kamonyi will compete in the one-day event.

"We are going to use the national championships to select a junior team to compete at next year’s IAAF African Junior Championships in Ethiopia,” revealed RAF’s technical director, John Peter Ndacyayisenga.

Ndacyayisenga further added that the top three athletes in each event will receive cash prizes.