Mossad Rashad, the head coach of men's and women's national sitting volleyball teams, has named 24 players ahead of the 2022 World Sitting Volleyball Championships which will be held in Bosnia and Herzegovina from November 4-11.
The teams will set off from Kigali on Tuesday, November 1.
Speaking to Times Sport, on Monday, women-sitting volleyball team captain, Liliane Mukobwankawe, said that the players are ready for the tournament.
"We can all celebrate the World Sitting Volleyball Championships and embrace the values of the tournament. We have prepared well and are determined to give other teams hard time” Mukobwankawe said.
The women’s team is placed in Group C, which includes Egypt and Brazil, while the men’s team is placed with Egypt, Ukraine, and the Netherlands.
"It’s been hard weeks of training, and everyone is in an upbeat mood to face the big teams in the world. We may be the underdogs, but we have to give our best and fight for the pride of our country.”
It is the second time that the World Championship will have two African countries fielding both the women's and men’s teams. Rwanda and Egypt fielded, in both categories, in the 2018 edition in the Netherlands. At the time, the national women’s team finished 11th out of 15 participating countries, winning three matches against Croatia, Hungary, and Finland.
Iran's seven gold medals make them the most successful men's side while The Netherlands top the women's overall standings with four golds.
Women’s team
Setters: Chantal Mutuyimana, Claudine Bazubagira, Solange Nyiraneza and Alice Musabyemariya
Middle blockers: Claudine Murwebwayire, Clementine Umulisa, Louise Mugirwanake
Outside Attackers: Liliane Mukobwankawe, Sandrine Nyirambarushimana, Agnes Nyiranshimiyimana, and Nikuze Zaninka
Libero: Hosiana Mulisa
Men’s team
Setters: Vitus Rutagengwa, Jean Baptiste Murema
Middle blockers: Jean Claude Ndahiro, Innocent Niyigena, Fulgence Hagenimana, Callixte Uwizeyimana.
Outside Attackers: Emile Vuningabo, Jean Semana, Jean Bosco Ngizwenimana, and Callixte Twagirayezu
Libero: Jean Baptiste Ndayisaba, Tiras Nsanzimana