RWANDA Under-20 men’s national handball team is likely to enter camp later this month ahead of the 2018 Challenge Trophy tournament to be staged in Kampala, Uganda.

The local handball governing body secretary-general Jean Paul Ngarambe confirmed the development to Times Sport in an exclusive interview on Thursday. The regional tournament is scheduled for May 14-20.

"IHF (International Handball Federation) awaits confirmation from all the invited countries, including Rwanda. Our target is to defend the title we won two years ago, but we are waiting for a response from the Ministry of Sports and Culture on our request for funds before confirming our participation and then start preparations,” Ngarambe said.

The deadline for confirmation is April 14.

Asked if two weeks of training will be enough for the team, he replied, "All the players are competing in the league with their respective clubs. Two weeks will be enough for us.”

Rwanda were crowned champions of the 2016 edition after winning all their matches to finish the only unbeaten side out of seven countries in the contest.

Under the tutelage of Antoine Ntabanganyimana, the youthful Rwandan side overcame hosts Uganda a 38-32 in a closely contested encounter.

IHF has written to all regional member countries including Ethiopia, Sudan, Rwanda, Eritrea, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi, Somalia and Djibouti to participate in Challenge Trophy 2018.

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