Rwanda Underwater Hockey Club will face Gruppo Sub Ospedale from Tanzania in a friendly game on Saturday at Cercle Sportif de Kigali in Rugunga.

The match is part of the initiatives to promote and develop the sport in Rwanda. The sport was introduced in the country two years ago. Gruppo arrived in Kigali yesterday evening ahead of the game which is due start today at 9am.

Nicole Muhinzi, the captain of the Rwanda Underwater Hockey Club, said they are ready and looking forward to not only win the friendly but most importantly, create awareness and to encourage others to join the sport.

She said, "This is a great opportunity. Our plan is   to engage in more friendly games like this one as we look forward to continue introducing underwater hockey to other parts of the country.”

The Rwandan club, the only one in the country, plans to travel to Tanzania for a return match either next month or June.

The sport is a 3 dimensional team sport played below the surface of the water in a swimming pool by two teams of 10 players, 6 in the water and 4 substitutes. Each player wears basic underwater equipment, i.e. fins, mask, cap with ear protection and snorkel.

The object of the game is to push or pass a weighted puck along the bottom of the pool by using an underwater hockey stick, into the opposing team’s goal.

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