The senior national cricket team has received a huge boost ahead of their engagement in this year’s ICC World Cricket League Division 3/ ICC World Cup Qualifiers.

The ministry of Sports and Culture, Rwanda’s national courier (Rwandair Express) and Rwanda Development Bank (BRD) have all bankrolled the team.

Mijespoc has offered Frw 2.23million, BRD has parted with Frw 0.5million while Rwandair has offered the team a 50% discount on their air tickets.

Rwanda has made two appearances at the ICC World Cricket League but this is only the first time that the team is travelling without having to dig deep into their pockets to foot the event’s expenses. "This is a turning point for Rwandan cricket. In the past, players had to part with some good money in order to travel," Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA)’s supremo Charles Haba noted before adding, "I would like to thank all those sponsors who have backed the team".

However, MTN, Electrogaz, Caisse Sociale, Computer Point and MFI have all pledged to support the team.

The Qualifiers are scheduled for April 13-18 in Johannesburg, South Africa and Rwanda is drawn in the toughest group alongside 2006 finalists Sierra Leone, Malawi and Lesotho.

Although RCA has named the 14-man squad for the Qualifiers, it is yet to name the team captain. In 2004, Rwanda finished 7th and 6th in 2006. Challengers’ all-rounder Srinath Vardhineni captained the side in 2004 and 2006 but it is unclear whether he will retain the captaincy this year.

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