RWANDA’S ATHLETICS long distance national team coach Eric Karasira is hopeful his athletes will stage a good performance in the World Cross Country Championship, which will be held in Bydgoszcz on Sunday.The five-man team left for Poland on yesterday after a one and half month of intensive preparations in Gicumbi district, Northern Province.The team is comprised of Robert Kajuga, Cyriaque Ndayikengurikiye, Felix Ntirenganya, Eric Sebahire and Jean Baptist Simukeka.While, Kajuga, Ndayikengurikiy and Ntirenganya set off from Kigali, the Italy-based pair of Sebahire and Simuceka are expected to link up with their team mates in Poland on Friday.Speaking to Times Sport prior to the team’s departure, Karasira said, “We are ready to face the world. Our training has been good and there are no problems with injuries or illness. The team has bonded well.”Kajuga, who also competed at last year’s Olympic Games in London said, “I’m not setting myself any targets, but I want to challenge the Kenyans and Ethiopians and whoever is up there because that’s the point of the World Cross.”Last year, Rwanda missed out on the world event due to visa hitches. Two years ago, Gervais Hakizimana braved the winter and muddy terrain in Punta Umbria, Spain, to emerge as the best performing runner after finishing 33rd in the Men’s 12km during the IAAF 39th World Cross Country Championship edition.
