The National men and women’s sitting volleyball teams have intensified training ahead of the Africa sitting volleyball championships that will take place at the Kigali Arena in September. 

The women’s championship will take place from September 15-17, while the men’s category will run from September 19-22.

Celestine Nzeyimana, the Executive Secretary of the National Paralympics Committee said seven teams will take part in the tournament and they include; Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco and Zimbabwe.

"If all goes according to plan, the games will be hosted at the Kigali Arena while Petit Amahoro stadium will house the training sessions for the teams,” he added.

Ahead of that, both teams are leaving no stone unturned to ensure they put on display the best performance in front of a home crowd.

Lillian Mukobwankabo, captain of the women’s team said that the team has been training three times a week and will soon head for a residential training camp.   "Having the former Egyptian head coach and expert Dr. Mosaad Rashad Elaiuty assisting the teams is an added advantage, we hope to benefit a lot from him ahead of Para African Games and Tokyo 2020,” she said.

From the continental championships, Rwandan teams will feature in the first Para Africa Games in Morocco next year. The North Africa games will act as qualifiers for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games set to be held between 25 August and 6 September 2020”.

It will be the third time that Rwanda will be hosting the Africa Sitting Volleyball Championship.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com