The Minister for Sports and Culture (MINISPOC) Julienne Uwacu has urged the national athletics junior team to aim for a podium finish and raise the country’s flag at this year’s IAAF World Junior Athletics Championships, set for July 19 - 24 in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Uwacu made the remarks yesterday afternoon at the ministry headquarters at Amahoro national stadium in Remera while briefing the five athletes (three girls and two boys), who will leave the country this evening aboard Ethiopian airways.

"The main purpose of this briefing is to thank all the athletes for having managed to qualify for this big event but most especially reminding them of the task that lies ahead, all that the country wants from you is hard work and possibly win a medal,” the Minister told the athletes.

She added that, "We have given the national flag as a symbol of national duty to encourage you to work as a team not as an individual and in the name of Rwanda.” 

All the five runners will be making their debut at the six-day biennial international event that attracts athletes from all over the world, aged between 16 and 19 years.

The five include; Salome Nyirarukundo, who is fresh from booking her ticket to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympics in the women’s 10,000m. The 19-year-old qualified at the 2016 Africa Senior Athletics Championship in Durban, South Africa. However, in Bydgoszcz, she will compete in the 5000m.

The others are; 18-year-old Beatha Nishimwe, who will compete in the 1500m and 17-year-old Honorine Iribagiza, who will feature in the 800m.

In the boys’ category, Rwanda will be represented by Jean Marie Vianney Myasiro and James Sugira, both 19, who will compete in the 10,000m and 1500m races respectively.

The five will be under the guidance of head trainer, Anicet Kanyabugoyi, who said that: "We have had enough preparations and our target is a podium finish.” 

Kanyabugoyi will be assisted by Innocente Uwamahoro while the Rwanda Athletics Federation secretary general, Johnson Rukundo will lead the delegation.

This is the biggest number the country has ever entered for an international competition, and the first time Rwandan athletes are competing in the World Championships after going through trials and qualifiers, as they have previously been participating through invitation.

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