FRANCE - based athlete Gervais Hakizimana has intensified his preparations in 3000m steeple chase ahead of the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique and World Athletics Championship in Daegu, South Korea.

Hakizimana jetted in last week but will head back to France towards the end of this month as he bids to hit the minimum qualification time for the two competitions.

"Everything is going according to plan. Physically, I feel strong and hungry for success,” he said.

The athlete will compete in three competitions on May 22, June 3 and June 15.

This year, Rwanda is expected to compete in eleven disciplines namely; basketball, volleyball, beach volleyball, athletics, boxing, tennis, table tennis, karate, swimming, cycling and sport for the disabled.

In the last edition held in Algiers in 2007, Rwanda failed to win a medal. Dieudonne Disi came closest to the podium after a fourth spot finish in the half marathon.

This year’s event is slated to run from September 3-18; attracting over 5000 athletes. Zimpeto stadium is the official venue for the Games.

The  continental tournament will also be a platform for athletes to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

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