Rwanda beach volleyball teams (men and women) have advanced to the second round of the zonal qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In both categories, Rwanda qualified along with sub-zonal hosts Egypt. In the women’s fray, Rwanda’s team A of Seraphine Mukantambara & Judith Hakizimana beat Egypt on Friday before defeating Uganda A and Uganda B in the second and third games respectively on Saturday. Team B (Charolette Nzayisenga & Denise Mutatsimpundu) also won against Egypt as well as Uganda B and Uganda A respectively. In the men’s category, Rwanda qualified in second place behind Egypt. Uganda finished third and Sudan in fourth place. In the first game, Rwanda’s team A (Vincent Ruhumuriza & Olivier Ntagengwa) beat Uganda A and Uganda B 14-21, 21-11, 15-5 and 21-13, 21-17 respectively, while Team B of Flavien Ndamukunda & Pierre Marshal Kwizera) also beat Uganda B and Uganda A 21-8, 21-18 and 21-14, 21-13 respectively. However, Ruhumuriza and Ntagengwa lost to Egypt A and B; 25-27, 25-23, 10-15 and 21-18, 17-21 and 13-15 respectively on Sunday while Ndamukunda & Kwizera were also beaten 21-15, 18-21, 13-15 and 15-21, 21-14, 13-15. The top two teams in each of the 12 sub-zonal pools (24 teams) proceed to the second phase which will be divided into four pools of six teams with the top three of each proceeding to the semi-final (12 teams in total). The semi-finalists will qualify to the All Africa Games scheduled for September 5-19 in Congo Brazzaville where the top two teams will earn tickets to Rio de Janeiro 2016. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
