Bitok tips beach v-ball team for London Games

National women beach volleyball team coach Paul Bitok has challenged the team to make the country proud by qualifying for the London 2012 Olympic Games by winning the African women beach volleyball championship slated for 24-26 May at Palm Beach in Rubavu.

Sunday, May 20, 2012
Paul Bitok

National women beach volleyball team coach Paul Bitok has challenged the team to make the country proud by qualifying for the London 2012 Olympic Games by winning the African women beach volleyball championship slated for 24-26 May at Palm Beach in Rubavu."It is a difficult competition because it involves winners from different zones but these players have almost the same experience as their rivals, so they need to make the most of home advantage.The incentive for them is to have chance of playing at the biggest stage in the world, the Olympic Games,” Bitok told Times Sport.Rwanda’s team is comprised of Emilienne Uwineza (APR), Judith Hakizimana (RRA), Denise Mutatsimpundu (Ruhango), Charlotte Nzayisenga (Ruhango) and Jeannette Iragena (APR). The players are currently in Rubavu preparing for the competition.Seven countries that include South Africa, Algeria, DRC, Morocco, Mozambique, Kenya and Rwanda will take part in the 2 day tournament where the winners will represent Africa in the London 2012 women beach volleyball tournament.According to Hatumimana, top CAVB officials, including its president Dr Elwani Amr and Madam Maya, who is in charge Beach Volleyball, will grace the five-day competition.The Volleyball Federation has already secured Rwf 20m sponsorship from the Ministry of Sports and Culture and is still waiting on some corporate sponsorship to meet their budget.