Africa’s volleyball governing body, CAVB has modified its 2008 calendar by lining up a couple of junior and youth tournaments.

Contrary to last year’s calendar which exclusively focused on senior competitions, four youth tournaments have been drafted on the 2008 calendar.

The tournament schedule unfolds in August with two events; the Men’s African Nations Youth Championship and the Women’s African Nations Youth Championships and winds-up in September with two junior events, which include the 13th edition of the men’s African Nations’ championship and the 12th edition of the women’s African Nations’ championship.

In a related development, the local volleyball governing body, FRVB has expressed interest in fielding a junior team.

"FRVB is aware of the 2008 calendar and has already given thought to Rwanda being part of the junior tournaments,” a close source to the federation said.

Although Rwanda commands respect as one of Africa’s top volleyball playing nations, she has never fielded a junior team and its involvement this year will be the first in its history.

"I can say that the national junior team has been around though it hasn’t been active,” the assistant national team coach Emmanuel Ndungutse noted. It has also been reported that FRVB is already planning to name a provisional squad.

"The selection criteria here is last year’s youth and inter-school competitions that were staged on provincial level,” Ndungutse explained. The Cup of club champions and the Cup winners’ cup are the other events on this year’s CAVB calendar.

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