The Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC) will finance both the boys and girls teams to a tune of Rwf121.4million to compete in this year’s CAVB U19 African Volleyball Championships.

The budget will cater for preparation and participation of the two youth teams. The boys’ tournament will be hosted by Tunisia from September 6 to 16 while the girls’ competition will be held in Egypt from October 30 to November 8.

Both teams are under the tutelage of Kenyan-born trainer Paul Bitok and assisted by Christophe Mudahinyuka. The boys’ team is currently in residential camp at Roots Inn in Kimironko for intensive preparations and training daily at Amahoro indoor stadium.

In an interview with Times Sport, the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB) secretary general, Christian Hatungimana confirmed the sponsorship from the ministry.

He re-affirmed that the budget is enough for both teams to have enough and quality preparations for the upcoming continental competitions.

According to the official, the boys’ team will use Rwf61, 575,000 while the girls’ team will take the remaining Rwf59, 875,000. The girls will report to residential camp in September after the 2016 FESSSA Games which will be staged in Eldoret, Kenya.

The last time Rwanda participated in African Youth Championships was in 2013 in Tunisia and only the boys’ team took part. On that occasion, Rwanda finished third to qualify for FIVB U19 World Championship which was held in Turkey.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw