Rwanda national tennis junior team has begun early preparations ahead of the 39th edition of the ITF/CAT Africa Junior Championship slated for March 8-20 in Pretoria, South Africa.

The team of six players; three in both genders, that will play in two categories namely; 16 & under and 14 & under, begun training last week at Amahoro stadium tennis grounds.

Rwandan youngsters qualified for the annual tournament from last months’ East African Zonal ITF/CAT Junior Championship that was held in Nairobi, Kenya from 10-17 January.

The boys’ category includes; Fabrice Tuyishime and Brian Ndahiro in the 16 & under while Joseph Kiiza is in the 14 & under.

In the girls’ fray, Rwanda will be represented by Chantal Mutuyimana and Clenia Niyonshima (16 & under) with Grace Gisubizo Ndahunga competing in the 14 & under category.

"We begun training earlier to build confidence since to some, this will be their first time to compete at such a high level and also reserve time for them to go to school because all of them are students,” said head coach Jean Pierre Nshimiyimana.

The six players were among the eight that had participated in the zonal championship in Kenya where Jasmine Uwamwezi and Joshua Muhire failed to qualify.

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