South Africa-based cricketer Emmanuel Sebareme is part of the 16-man squad that started training camp on Friday, October 8, ahead of the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifiers slated in Kigali from October 16-22, Times Sport can confirm.
The 25-year-old off-spinner, who plies his trade in South Africa, secured his first call up in the senior national Cricket after head coach Martin Suji got impressed by his performances for the few months since he started tracking his development.
"Yes, he [Sebareme] is with the national team where they are camping at La Palisse Hotel Nyamata,” confirmed national Cricket team manager Jackson Nzayisenga.
"We are excited to have him in the national team and we are looking forward to his services. I am convinced he is a reliable addition to our squad,” he added.
Suji has been closely monitoring Sebareme’s development in South Africa for months until he made up his mind to give him a call up in his senior national team squad preparing for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifiers which kick off Saturday at Gahanga Cricket Stadium.
The tactician’s decision to select Sebareme in the national team selection was motivated by the player’s interest to play for the country.
Sebareme started his cricket career in South Africa, precisely in the streets of Cape Town, where his parents have been living since he was five years old.
He has been plying his trade in the country from a junior stage and it is his talent in cricket that earned him a full scholarship to the University of the Western Cape, where he studied economics.
Now that he’s grown up and has come to know his family roots, the talented cricketer thinks the time is now to represent Rwanda at the international stage.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifiers are one of four Africa Regional Qualifying tournaments confirmed to be hosted in Rwanda after as per the revised schedule after consulting representatives from member countries participating countries and the ICC Global Pathways Events Manager.
Rwanda, the hosting nation, is pooled in the same Group A of the Sub-regional qualifiers alongside Eswatini, Lesotho, Ghana, Seychelles, Malawi and Uganda.
The squad
Eric Dusingizimana, Didier Ndikubwimana, Orchide Tuyisenge, Clinton Rubagumya, Bosco Tuyizere, Eric Niyomugabo, Zappy Bimenyimana, Yvan Mitali, David Uwimana, KevinIrakoze, Martin Akayezu, Pankaj Vekaria, Jean Damascene Abizera, Wilson Niyitanga, Emmanuel Sebareme and Subhasis Samal.
Technical Staff
Martin Suji (Head Coach)
Adelin Tuyizere (Assistant Coach).
Jackson Nzayisenga (Team Manager)
Theoneste Iyakaremye (Physiotherapist)