Rwanda national women sitting volleyball team head coach Peter Karreman has revealed that his side is ready to register another landmark at the World Paravolley Intercontinental Cup set for March 17-23 in the Chinese city of Hangzhou.

The team of 12 players and seven officials is currently lodged at Yin Run Town Hotel, after leaving the country on Saturday ahead of their debut at the quadrennial event. The team will kick off their campaign against USA on March 17.

Speaking to the media before departure, Karreman disclosed that after rigorous preparations in Kigali and a training camp in Slovenia, his girls are determined and ready to reach another milestone after winning the African Championship last year.

Rwanda is drawn in the same group with hosts China, USA, Ukraine, Ireland, Brazil and Canada.

However Karreman said he will use the tournament to gauge the readiness of his team ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games set for September 7-18 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He noted that, "It will be tough to compete with USA and China, two very strong teams but I think we can hold our own against Canada and Ireland. However, the most important thing is to see where we stand before the Rio Olympics.”

Karreman’s team made history last July when they came from a set down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the final of African qualifiers for this year’s Paralympic Games, an achievement that was ranked at number three in the International Paralympic Committee’s Top 50 Moments of the year 2015.

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