THE national U-21 junior volleyball team has kicked off preparations ahead of the World Junior Championships set to kick off on August 22 to September 1 in the Turkish cities of Ankara and Izmir.The team is training daily under the tutelage of head coach Paul Bitok who is assisted by Leonard Nkusi ShinaniBitok and his boys are expected to have a two-week training camp in Europe ahead of the FIVB World Cup. The national volleyball governing body, FRVB, is planning a ‘high intensity’ training camp early next month in France, Holland or Turkey, aimed at putting the boys in solid shape ahead of the World championship.The Rwanda volleyball federation chairman, Gustave Nkurunziza, said, “We have already contacted our (Rwandan) embassy in The Netherlands and they have agreed to facilitate us in securing some friendly matches,”“We are still in contact with other officials in France and Turkey and hopefully we will secure enough friendly matches for the team,” added Nkurunziza.Rwanda is drawn against Serbia, US, Canada and Tunisia in Pool C of the competition. African champions Egypt and silver medalists Morocco were drawn together in Pool A alongside hosts Turkey, China and India, while Pool B is comprised of Argentina, Iran, Japan, Mexico and Estonia.In Pool D, Russia will battle Brazil, France, Venezuela and 2012 European champions Italy.Provisional squad:Yves Mutabazi (left attacker), Bonnie Mutabazi (setter), Fred Musoni, Fabrice Nkezabahizi (centre), Aimable Mutuyimana, Barrack Rugira, Yussuf Sibomana (left attacker, all from APR), Ivan Nsabimana Mahoro (setter), Nelson Murangwa (right attacker), from Groupe Scoraile de Butare, Bienvenu Biyenzi (centre) and Peter Bigirimana (Libero, Inatek), Samuel Tyson Niyogisubizo (right attacker, Kigali Volleyball Club) and Oreste Gabo Muhirwa (College Christ Roi) and Fred Muvunyi Rufu (centre), Emma Bonane (left attacker), Jean Claude Niyibizi (setter) and Patrick Rudakubana (right attacker) from Groupe St Joseph Kabgayi).
