139 athletes named for Rio Olympic Games pre-selection

A total of 139 athletes from seven sports disciplines are set to start early preparations for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, which will be held in the Brazilian capital, Rio de Janeiro from August 5-21. According to a statement by the Rwanda National Olympic and Sport Committee (RNOSC) released on Friday, the disciplines that will be considered include; Volleyball (40), Football (30), Athletics (8), Cycling (12), Swimming (8), Rugby (29) and Taekwondo (12). The athletes will be involved in the pre-selection process to pick the required athletes, who will represent the country in Rio. Seven federations have already laid out strategic plans to participate in several global and continental competitions over the course of time in preparation for the Olympics. The surprise inclusion though is veteran marathon runner Dieudonne Disi, 34, who announced after the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland that he was retiring from international competitions. *** Provisional Squads: Taekwondo: Martin Nuwayezu, Regis Iyumva, Placide Bagabo, Savio Nizeyimana, Cedrick Mwemezi, Eric Nkurunziza, Patrick Nkwiro, Jean Basile Kalisa, Consolee Birori, Aline Ndacyayisenga, Zura Mushambokazi, Delphine Uwababyeyi. Cycling: Jeanne d’Arc Girubuntu, Beatha Ingabire, Clementine Niyonsaba, Uwamarayika Benitha, Adrien Niyonshuti, Valens Ndacyayisenga, Jean Bosco Nsengimana, Uwizeyimana Bonaventure, Hadi Janvier, Patrick Byukusenge, Joseph Biziyaremye and Gasore Hategeka. Athletics: Disi Dieudonne, Jean Pierre Mvuyekure, Frederic Habakurama, Jean Baptiste Ruvubi, Genessi Nyiransabimana, Eric Sebahire, Felicien Muhitira, Sylvain Rukundo, Jean Marie Vianney Uwajeneza, Claudette Mukasakindi, Clementine Mukandanga, Cyriaque Ndayikengurukiye, Pontien Ntawuyirushintege, Alexis Nizeyimana, Faustin Mpano, Rosette Twambazimana, Salome Nyirarukundo. Volleyball (Men): Flavien Ndamukunda, Nelson Murangwa, Olivier Ntagengwa, Alfred Muvunyi, Christophe Mukunzi, Patrick Ruzindana, Fred Musoni, Samuel Niyogisubizo, Aimable Mutuyimana, Thierry Mugabo, Lawrence Yakan Guma, Yves Mutabazi, Yvan Nsabimana Mahoro, Theodore Muyango, William Mudahemuka, Fabrice Nkezabahizi, Herve Kagimbura, Irene Cyusa, Bosco Mutabazi Bonijuru and Robert Nshimiyimana. Volleyball (Women): Charlotte Nzayisenga, Denyse Mutatsimpundu, Judith Hakizimana, Seraphine Mukantambara, Brigitte Mutakwampuhwe, Lea Uwimbabazi, Delphine Uwicyeza, M.Grace Niyigena, Benita Mukandayisenga, Pascaline Mukashyaka, Beatrice Mahoro, Belyse Irakoze, Dimitrie Muhimpundu, Yvette Igihozo Cyuzuzo, Euphrance Niyomukesha, Beatrice Uwimana, Ernestine Akimanizanye, Regine Feza Izabayo, Olive Mutamba and Hortance Zaninka. Rugby: Jean De Dieu Hakizimana, Gerard Niyoneza, Donat Kanyamahanga, Emmanuel Nduwayezu, Protegene Bananira, Serge Shema, Jean D’amour Nsengimana, Moise Habumugisha, James Mugabo, Victorien Umuhire, Yannick Sangwa, Jean Paul Hajali, Vincent Kamali, Jean Damascene Biseruka, Paris Uwingabo, Heritier Habimana, Onesime Iradukunda, Benjamin Makombe, Filbert Maendeleo, Ombeni Iradukunda, Diego Mucungura, Fils Fidel Irumva, Carlos Isimbi, Jacques Bigirimana, Daniel Tuyisenge, Jean Luc Tuyisenge, Patrick Kazungu, Barnabe Ngizwenayo and Jean Leonard Twizeyimana. Swimming: Eloi Imaniraguha, Patrick Rukundo, Abdoul Rahman Gatete Babu, Issiaka Irankunda, Orsolla Marie Christelle Rwabukwandi, Alphonsine Agahozo, Anaissa Irakoze and Joyce Rudaseswa. Football: Goal Keepers: Marcel Nzarora (Police), Olivier Kwizera (APR) and Steven Ntalibi (Police) Defenders: Soter Kayumba (AS Kigali), Ismail Nshutiyamagara (APR), Emery Bayisenge (APR), Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Fitina Ombelenga (SC Kiyovu), Janvier Mutijima (AS Kigali) and Eric Rutanga (APR). Midfielders: Haruna Niyonzima (Yanga), Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (APR), Rachid Kalisa (Police), Justin Mico (AS Kigali), Savio Nshuti Dominique (Isonga), Patrick Sibomana (APR), Jean Claude Zagabe (Mukura), Kevin Muhire (Isonga), Andrew Buteera (APR) and Emmanuel Sebanani (Police). Forwards: Ernest Sugira (AS Kigali), Danny Usengimana (Isonga), Bertrand Iradukunda (APR), Innocent Ndizeye (Amagaju) and Issa Bigirimana (APR).

Sports

139 athletes named for Rio Olympic Games pre-selection