South Africa-based cricketer Emmanuel Sebareme says it is an honour to get a call up to represent Rwanda in international competitions as he looks forward to making his debut in the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifiers slated in Kigali from October 16-22.

The 25-year-old is training with the senior national cricket team preparing for the qualifiers which Rwanda will host.

Sebareme started and grw his cricket career in South Africa but he felt more motivated to play for Rwanda, the home country for his parents, after different officials from Rwanda Cricket Association, from the president Stephen Musaale to the General Manager Emma Byiringiro, showed interest in his services when they approached him over a possibility to play for Rwanda.

"When they called me, I was like ‘I can’t believe it!’ it’s really a privilege and an honor to be part of the team and work with my teammates and learn from them,” he said.

"I don’t think it was a matter of choice, I think that opportunity came because I was doing well. I never really expected it...honestly because I never thought even people [in Rwanda] knew about me,” he told Times Sport in an exclusive interview.

South Africa’s Cricket is well ahead of Rwanda but Sebareme has been impressed by the work that Rwanda has so far done towards the growth of the game which he believes has potential to keep the pace and reach higher standards.

He could have pushed to play for South African but the player was convinced to contribute to Rwanda’s national team.  

"I look at what I can do for the next generations because sport has given everything. It has played a big part in who I am and I would love to give back.

Sebareme has been playing Cricket since he was 12 years old, starting from the streets.

It was by chance. One day I was going into a shop with my mother, they hit a ball inside the shop and I caught it. Then the kids told me ‘just come and we play. From there it was fun because we could play in the morning!” He recalls.

He later kept playing mini-cricket at primary school and later joined Peninsula cricket club at the age of 14. It is from the club that the then young kid started his cricket development.

"The club really played a big role in the player I am now,” Sebareme said.

Sebareme currently plays for University of Pretoria, one of the best Cricket Universities in the world. He is also an information science student at the university.

The season is on but the university’s cricket team allowed him to join the national team with which he looks forward to making his international debut this coming weekend.

"They allowed me to be here. I am here to help the team win the tournament and qualify,” he said.

"I’ve played with a lot of experienced players in South Africa but there is a lot of hunger and excitement in this team. There is potential and, with the team, I believe we can compete and qualify,” he said.