RWANDA international James Sugira is determined to impress at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Gold Coast, Australia from April 4-15.

The 20-year old is part of the six athletes, who will represent the country in athletics competition—others are; Salome Nyirarukundo (10,000m), Alexis Nizeyimana (Full Marathon), Beatha Nishimwe (1500m), Alice Ishimwe (800m) and Christophe Tuyishime (5000m). Sugira will compete in 5000 metres.

A total of 17 athletes across four different sporting disciplines will carry the country’s quest for a historic first Commonwealth Games medal. Rwanda will have representatives in cycling, athletics, beach volleyball and Para-Powerlifting.

The athletics team is in residential camp at La Bonne Esperance hotel in Kicukiro and training daily at Amahoro National Stadium.

In January, Sugira finished in second place in the 10km race, held in the South-western German city of Trier with a time of 3:11:3.

Speaking to Sunday Sport yesterday said that; "I am doing my best to be as ready as possible because my target is to make a memorable debut. I’m optimistically looking forward to the competition.”

"Our aim is to make the country proud, we are hungry and ready to do better, and we believe we can win some medals. We have received everything to prepare for the Games and we will go there to give our best,” Sagira added.

In 2014, Sugira was the first Rwandan to receive this high-status opportunity from the world athletics body that observed his impressive performance in the boys’ 1500m event at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China in August.

Last year, he won the national cross country championship, clocking 30 minutes, 38 seconds and 78 micro seconds to win the 10km national event that had attracted several athletes from different local clubs.

The 21st edition of Commonwealth Games will attract over 6600 athletes representing 70 countries and territories in 18 sports and 270 medal events.

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