Rwanda national tennis junior team has begun the quest for medals at the 39th edition of the ITF/CAT Africa Junior Championship that started yesterday and will run until March 20 in Pretoria, South Africa.

The team of six players, three boys and three girls, will play in two categories namely; 16 & under and 14 & under, left for Pretoria on Monday evening aboard RwandAir express after an intensive three week training under the close eye of head coaches Jean Pierre Nshimiyimana and Megane Ingabre.

The boys’ team includes; Fabrice Tuyishime and Brian Ndahiro, who are competing in the 16 & under category while Joseph Kiiza, will vie for honors in the 14 & under.

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

Speaking to Times Sport on Monday before takeoff for the two week annual tournament, coach Nshimiyimana revealed that the Rwandan team is ready and determined to make the country proud after rigorous preparations.

"Our objective as a team is to return with a title in whichever category and we have had enough time to prepare ourselves, I am optimistic we shall raise the national flag in Pretoria,” said Nshimiyimana

The Rwandan team booked the ticket to the annual continental championship during the East African Zonal ITF/CAT Junior Championship that was held in Nairobi, Kenya from January 10-17.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw