Rwanda beach volleyball players have been urged to prove that they deserve to be in the FIVB 2019 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour, which will run from August, 21-24 at the Pearl Beach in Rubavu District. Rwanda will field six teams in men and women categories during the tournament in which the country is going to be represented for the first time since its inception in 1989. It is one of the only two African countries represented at the tournament, along with Ivory Coast. According Sammy Mulinge, the head coach for the Rwandan sides, all players are doing well in their camp and are ready for the tournament that kicks off on Wednesday. “The players must understand their responsibility; they are not young and I urge everyone in the team to be at their best during the competition. They are all well aware of the expectations the nation has from them,” he said in an interview with Times Sport. The twelve participating countries in both the men and women categories are: Cote d’Ivoire, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Slovenia, Denmark, Japan, Canada, Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, Cyprus and the hosts Rwanda. With just one day to go and as excitement builds up, organizers are putting final touches to the preparations for the tournament. “We are ready and players are responding well in training. We believe we will do our best to represent our country well. It is very tough tournament but our boys are in good sharp and willing to do better” the APR tactician noted. “I believe we have a strong squad capable of getting a good result. Our goal is to get a good result in the tournament. Beach Volleyball World Tour is a big competition, we will have to try and win games and we are ready for the challenge,” Mulinge added. Rubavu Beach Volleyball Tour has attracted a total of 28 teams – 19 mens and 9 womens teams – from different countries around the world. The Rwandan teams Men: Venutse Gatsinzi and Fils Habanzintwali, Christophe Mukunzi and Flavien Ndamukunda as well as the partnership of Alfred Muvunyi and Yves Niyonkuru. Women: Charlotte Nzayisenga and Judith Hakizimana, Louise Muhoza and Hope Musaniwabo and Christine Nyirarukundo and Pacifique Umulisa. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
