Rwanda organises friendly matches ahead of CAVB Championships

Rwanda Volleyball Federation is planning to engage the national junior men’s team in friendly matches against Tunisian teams ahead of CAVB African Championships, scheduled for February 28 to March 9 in Tunisia.

Sunday, February 17, 2013
The Rwandan men junior team coach Paul Bitok wants to finish in top four and qualify for the world championships. The New Times / File.

Rwanda Volleyball Federation is planning to engage the national junior men’s team in friendly matches against Tunisian teams ahead of CAVB African Championships, scheduled for February 28 to March 9 in Tunisia.The team’s head coach Paul Bitok confirmed the development on Sunday. "We have talked to Tunisia federation regarding the possibility of us playing three warm-up matches against their teams, and they seem not to have a problem with our proposal.”According to the former Kenyan international player, although the Tunisian federation has not confirmed the identity of the possible opponents, Rwanda has proposed the three matches to be played between February 25 and 27.Bitok’s team has been engaged in a couple of warm-up matches against local league clubs; APR, Nyanza, INATEK, National University of Rwanda as part of the preparations for the continental meet.Rwanda qualified to compete in the continental show piece after Morocco, which had finished third during the qualifying tournament held in Libya in 2010, withdrew.Bitok’s target is to reach in best four so that team can qualify for the world championships scheduled for later this year in Mexico.In 2010, under Brazilian coach Paulo de Tarsio, Rwanda’s U-20 finished on fourth position for the first time, behind Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco.