Rwanda Athletics Federation needs Frw16 million to facilitate the annual national championship dubbed ‘Rendezvous Nationale’ slated for December 8-9 at Amahoro stadium.

The Athletics federation Secretary General, Appolinaire Munyangoga who Times Sport spoke to confirmed the budget.

"The money would be used in transporting teams to and from their respective areas, purchasing prizes as well as facilitating other essential requirement to make the event colorful,” Munyangoga said.

The competition, the first of its kind to be organized is expected to attract teams from all corners of the country including clubs, public and private institutions, the army, the national police as well as schools and institutions of higher learning.

The two-day event’s participants are expected to compete in both track and field events ranging from 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10.000m, 4x100, 4x400 relays, high, high and triple jump, javelin as well as short-put.

The Athletics federation will use this championship to select athletes who would make the team for next year’s Olympic Games due in Beijing, China.

Munyangoga said that they want to find capable athletes from the event who would be sent to various competitions so as they seek to attain the minimum required standard time for next year’s Games.

”We want to make that the athletes we select get the chance to compete in as many international events as possible to enable them attain the minimum required time. We still have up to April next year before picking the final team,” he said.

He said preparations should start early so as to maximize Rwanda’s chances in China.

The local athletics federation has pans to send over 20 athletes to Beijing but now only Dieudonne Disi (10,000m who has so far qualified.

Participation in the Olympic Games requires either qualification through international competitions or judgment through the worldwide rankings by various sporting federations.

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