Rwanda national women’s sitting volleyball team departed for Slovakia last night aboard Turkish Airlines for a ten-day training camp. While there, the team will also play several friendly matches.

The camp is aimed at boosting the players’ experience on the international stage ahead of the Intercontinental and World ParaVolley slated for March 17-23, 2016 in China as well as the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 7-18.

Peter Karreman’s team will play three friendly matches against hosts Slovakia, Croatia and Hungary, who will also be using the games as part of preparations ahead of the Paralympic Games qualifiers set for November 7-17 in Slovakia.

Speaking to Saturday Sport yesterday, assistant coach Jean Marie Nsengiyumva acknowledged that the camp will benefit players a lot.

He said, "Training in Europe is a big opportunity for us, it’s the team’s first trip overseas, therefore, it’s another platform to learn more and gain valuable experience playing against European teams.”

"These European countries have played sitting volleyball for years, so we are all curious to learn and take our game to another level ahead of the next two world-class competitions,” he noted.

Rwanda women’s team beat Egypt in a five-set thriller (3-2) to claim the only Paralympics Games ticket available for Africa, while the men’s single slot went to Egypt after overwhelming Rwanda in straight sets (3-0) at Amahoro indoor stadium three months ago.

The delegation, which is led by Dutch head coach Peter Karreman, also includes; his assistant Nsengiyumva, team manager Angelique Niragire and physiotherapist Jean Pierre Nkurunziza.

Full squad:

Liliane Mukobwankawe, Beatha Nyinawabantu, Providence Nyirantungane, Solange Nyiraneza, Alice Musabyemariya, Carine Kwizera, Yvonne Imanishimwe, Claudine Murebwayire, Claudine Bazubagira, Anges Nyiranshimiyimana, Clementine Umutoni and Sandrine Nyirambarushimana.