Karate and athletics teams have arrived in Algiers, Algeria for the 2018 African Youth Games, which also double as qualifiers for this year’s Youth Olympics to be held in Argentina.

The two youthful teams departed for Algeria yesterday at 4pm aboard Qatar Airways.

The 3rd African Youth Games were officially opened on Wednesday and are expected to run through July 28 in the Algerian capital.

A total of 13 athletes across three disciplines carry the country’s hopes for medals at this multisport event in the North African country.

According to Noel Nkoranyabahizi, head coach of the karate team, the three karatekas are in great form and fit to battle for medals.

"We want to represent the country in the best way possible, the youngsters have been prepared well and are ready to fight for top honors. We at least target one qualification to Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires (Argentina) this year,” Nkoranyabahizi said.

Beach volleyball teams polled in Group C & D

Meanwhile, the youth beach volleyball teams, which left the country on July 15 for the 10-day long games, finally got to know their opponents on Friday.

The girls’ duo of Valentine Munezero and Penelope Musabyimana was placed in Group C alongside DR Congo, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Kenya.

In the boys’ category, Rwanda’s pair of Cedrick Kageruka, and Bernard Masabo was polled in Group D along with Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Niger.

The two duos were supposed to play their opening games on Friday afternoon, boys against Tunisia and girls against Sierra Leone. By press time, the two games were yet to get underway.

Athletics:

Boys: Kwame Karangwa (high jump, 100m, 200m), Dieudonnée Ugeziwe (1,500m) and Aimé Phraditte Bakunzi (3,000m)

Girls: Belyse Nishimwe (800m), Médiatrice Iradukunda (1,500m) and Angelique Ibishatse (3,000m)

Karate:

Victor Shyaka Kaberuka (individual; Kata), Halifa Niyitanga (kumité -61kgs) and Jovia Umunezero (kumité -59kgs)

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