THE Rwanda national girls’ cricket team departed for Tanzania on Wednesday ahead of the ICC Africa U-19 girls’ T20 tournament that will take place in Dar es Salaam from December 7-9.

The team will be participating in this tournament for the third time having finished fourth last year out of the six participating countries, namely; champions Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and Mozambique.

The team was given a warm farewell on Tuesday with a luncheon where they met Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) board and well wishers.

The RCA vice president Srinath Vardhineni challenged the girls to stay focused and wished the team well. The team captain Liliane Umuhoza said, "We are ready to fight and we hope we shall win God willing.”

The RCA general secretary Emmanuel Byiringiro thanked MINISPOC and Mitsumi Distribution Rwanda for sponsoring the team with $2,500 and Rwf 1 million respectively.

The three-day tournament is organised by African Cricket Association (ACA) with an aim of promoting women’s cricket in Africa.

The team includes Liliane Umuhoza (capt), Betty Mukunzi (v.capt), Ishimwe Diane, Uwera Sarah, Bimenyimana Diane, Uwase Claudine, Mariam Maina, Nyirandorimana Pacifique, Antoinette Uwimbabazi, Josee Marie Umuhoza, Egidia Uwimana, Ganimana Raphael, Delphine Cyuzuzo and Jeanne d'Arc Akigeneye.

Coach is Eric Ndangamyambi while the manager is Joshua Mwanja.