Over 500 local athletes are expected to take part in the 2021 National Athletics Championship scheduled for April 24 to 25 at Amahoro Stadium.

The two-day annual track and field event has attracted a total of sixteen local athletics clubs, as well as individual players that will compete in both the men and women categories.

Athletes will compete in seven categories of track, including 10,000 meters, 100 meters, 1500 meters, 200 meters, 5000 meters, 400 meters and 800 meters.

Others will compete in the long jump, discus throw, high jump, triple jump and shot-put.

This year’s edition, which starts on the morning of Saturday, April 24 will attract male and female athletes, and it will provide entry standards for the 2021 African Senior Athletics Championship that is scheduled to be held in Algeria, on June 1-6

According to Fidele Mubirigi, the President of the Rwanda Athletics Federation, the championship will present an opportunity to local athletes who are keen to participate in the African championships.

"As athletes participate, they will be seeking entry standards in a number of categories,” he said.

The 16 clubs that have confirmed to compete are; APR, New Athletics Stars, Mountain Classic, Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle, Kavumu Athletics, Rwamagana Athletics, UR-Huye campus, Police Athletics, Sina Gerard Athletics, Nyamasheke Athletics, Rutsiro Athletics,  Ngororero Athletics, Muhanga Athletics,  Nyaruguru Athletics, Burera athletics club and Sec Athletics.