For the first time, Rwanda will be represented in the Beach and Indoor volleyball categories at the 2015 All African Games slated for September 4-19 in Congo Brazzaville.

Both teams qualified after winning the Zone V championship in the indoor and Beach Volleyball categories respectively, something the Volleyball federation attributes to youth programmes that were started five years ago.

"I believe its Rwanda’s time to be the best in Africa in Volleyball. We always knew that there was talent to rival the best but we had to unearth and nurture them through the youth programmes,” Gustave Nkurunziza, Chairman of the Rwanda Volleyball Federation said in an interview.

The last time Rwanda played in the All African Games was in 2011, the senior national team finished in fourth position behind Algeria, Cameroon and Kenya.

Teams to start early preparations

Meanwhile the Rwanda Volleyball Federation is keen to start preparing the national teams early ahead of the All Africa Games.

The team will start trainings in June or July according to the Rwanda Volleyball federation executive secretary Christian Hatumimana.

"We need to prepare the team early, we are planning end of June or July to start the training for the teams because we need to get better results in the All Africa Games,” the former APR right attacker said.