Youth team regroups ahead of World Cup

THE national youth (U-19) volleyball team has started preparations ahead of this year’s World Youth Championships which will be held in the Mexican cities of Tijuana and Mexicali from June 27 to July 7.Rwanda qualified for the World championship after winning bronze medal at last month’s CAVB Youth Championship held in Algeria.Head coach Jean Marie Nsengiyumva engaged the team in the first phase of the preparations over the weekend at Amahoro indoor stadium.“We need to start early because this is a big competition. The players have to raise their level, and they have improved because most of them play in the national league,” he told this paper on Monday.The KCV coach added, “Two months from now it is the world cup so its better to start early preparations.” Nsengiyumva, who snatched the World Cup ticket in Algeria last month, has added three players including; Jean Paul Ndacyayisenga [younger brother to Rwandan international Pierre Marshal Kwizera], Placide Habarugira and Fabrice Rugina.“I added them in a bid to strength the provisional squad and it’s upon them to stake their claim in the final team,” noted the former national team player.Provisional team:Jean Paul Ndacyayisenga, Placide Habarugira, Fabrice Rugina, Sylvestre Ndayisabye, Jean Claude Ndacyayisenga, Samuel ‘Tyson’ Niyogisubizo, Robert Nshimiyimana, Patrick Ruzindana, Diogène Mukotanyi, Jacques Iradukunda, Jean Luc Rutayisire, Bosco Hishamunda, Elias Ndagano, Oreste Muhirwa Gabo and Eugène Nkotanyi.

Sports

Youth team regroups ahead of World Cup