For the first time ever, Rwanda is set to compete at the 2015 World Kung Fu Championship set to start on November 12-15 in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka.

The biennial event is organized by the International Kung Fu Federation (IKF) and the competition covers six categories of the martial arts game including Kung Fu Tao Lu (bare hand and weapons), Kung Fu full contact (Sanda), Kung Fu light contact, Kung Fu full extra contact, Tai chi (bare hand and weapons) and Tuei Shou.

Speaking to Times Sport in an interview, the Rwanda Kung Fu Federation president Jackson Mucyo Havugimana revealed that they have been invited in this year’s event after Rwanda became a member of IKF in 2013.

"It is a great opportunity for us to be part of this global Kung Fu Federation because it will help us boost cooperation with other federations from around the world as well as developing the sport in Rwanda,” said Havugimana.

He confirmed that Rwanda will compete in only one category, the Kung Fu full contact (Sanda). The country will be represented by Elie Nzabonimana (Sanda national champion), who is being trained by national team coach Eric Rutabayiro at Amahoro stadium.

Initially, five players were supposed to represent the country but due financial constraints, the federation cut it down to just one. The duo (player and coach) are set to depart for Dhaka on November 9.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw