Rwanda’s failure to compete in international competitions in recent years has led to a drop in the latest world (FIVB) rankings. Rwanda is ranked 45th in the world and 7th on the continent, dropping by one spot from the previous rankings. Since 2004, Rwanda has only amassed 10 points after missing out on the World Championship (2006), World League (2007) and the 2007 World Cup. The ten points came from her participation in last year’s continental championship. Commenting on the drop, the executive secretary of the local volleyball governing body, FRVB Gertrude Kubwimana said that Rwanda’s ragged show during this year’s Olympic qualifiers in South Africa could have been a catalyst. Rwanda put on a poor performance in the qualifiers after losing all her pool games against Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria. “We did not do well in South Africa and I think that must have dented our chances for a rise in the rankings,” she conceded. Brazil tops the world rankings with 260 points, 206 points ahead of Africa’s top ranked country, Egypt who are 14th. Meanwhile, Kubwimana also reckons that Egypt would have to be at their peak if they are to win a medal at the forth-coming Olympic Games in Beijing. Egypt sailed into the Olympics after edging Algeria in an epic final and will now contend with world cup winners Brazil, runners up Russia and Bulgaria who were third in the event, Venezuela, Serbia, USA and hosts China for silverware. Algeria will represent Africa in the ladies’ category after edging Kenya. Kenya represented Africa at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games in Sydney and Athens. Ends
