THE National Special Olympics team jets out today aboard a Kenya Airline plane ahead of the World Summer Games scheduled for October 2-11 in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

The Special Olympics Committee-Rwanda national director, Anaclet Ruzindana told Sunday Sport yesterday that the 25-man team will represent Rwanda in this year’s World Special Olympics championship.

The team is comprised of 18 players accompanied by five officials from the Special Olympics Rwanda Committee.

According to Ruzindana, who is also the head of delegation, the team jets out today aboard Kenya Airways and they are expected to have a stop over in Johannesburg before connecting to Singapore and will land in Shanghai on Wednesday.

"We have been working hard to acquire the funds which will facilitate the team’s transport and maintenance while in China and we are glad to have got the funds by departure time,” Ruzindana said.

Ruzindana further added that the team has been in residential training for the past one week and he is confident of good a performance this year.

Ruzindana added that the national team made up of 18 players (11 athletes and 7 football players) were selected from different schools in the country.

The International Special Olympics Committee funded the national body US$50000 (amounting to Frw.27.5m) to enable it send athletes to the World Special Olympics in Shanghai, China.

The games will see of all athletes with ability level competing in 25 different Olympic-type games.

Rwanda will be represented in athletics and football.

The event will mark the first time the World Summer Games will be held in Asia, and only the second time they will be held outside the United States.

In addition to almost 7,500 athletes, Special Olympics expects the 2007 World Summer Games to draw 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, volunteers, spectators and journalists from every continent.

SQUAD: Rehema Cyizere, Teonelle Irivuzemaliya, Ernest Minani, Aline Mukamana, Elizabeth Mukamusoni, Evona Nayituliki, Ernestine Nyirangenda, Justin Rwamunigi, Yvonne Nyirasafari, Claudine Uwimana, Francoise Uwiragiye, Eric Abizeyimana, Innocent Hagenimana, Martin Hakizimana, Emmanuel Nduwayezu, John Ngerezaho,Jean Nizeyimana,Sibomana Habamenshi.

Coaches: Cyridion Semanda, Etienne Munyakazi, Immaculee Nkubwimana, Francine Mukampungwe Pierre Kayigamba

Officials: Anaclet Ruzindana and Orneste Gasana