RWANDA athletics federation (RAF) has ruled out fielding athletes at the 10th Africa Junior Championship which kicks off this week in Gaborone, Botswana.

The federation’s Secretary General Constantine Twajamahoro blamed the team’s absence to inadequate funds. "Initially, we expected the Ministry of Sports to foot the team’s budget unfortunately; things did not go according to plan.”

Egide Kayigire (5000m), Theresse Uwamariya (800m) and Potien Ntawuyirushintege, who made his debut at last year’s Singapore Youth Olympic Games, were some of the athletes expected to compete in Gaborone.

The African Junior Athletics Championship is a biennial event organized by the Confederation of African Athletics. It was first held in 1994.

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