THE 2016 national women’s handball league that was scheduled to kickoff this weekend has been pushed April 23, according to local handball federation.

FERWAHAND secretary general Jean-Paul Ngarambe said the decision to postpone the league start was because of the impending closure of schools for holidays, yet most of the participating teams are high schools teams.

"Almost 99% of the league teams are school-based and next week all schools will close for first term holidays therefore, that why we pushed forward the league start until April 18 when the schools will open again,” he said.

According to Ngarambe, so far seven clubs have registered to compete in the league this season however, the number might increase before kickoff as they expected more teams to register.

The registered teams include; University of Rwanda College of Education (Kigali), Groupe Scolaire Mayange and defending champions Ecole Secondaire Mukingi (Ruhango district), Hanika Technical Secondary School (Nyanza district), Duha Complex School and Appega Technical Secondarty School (Rwamagana) as well as Groupe Scolaire Mwendo from Bugesera District.

The nation women’s handball league was first played in 2003. APAPEGI CYURU from Gicumbi district have won it a record five times in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

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