GISAGARA Men’s sitting volleyball team is eager to make an impressive debut in the East African championships which is scheduled for August 20 to 24 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Rwanda may be participating in the regional tournament for the first time but Gisagara say they are already gunning for the title of the annual Paralympics event.

Also to participate are national women’s sitting volleyball team, coached Dutch-born Peter Karemann.

Two-time national league champions Gisagara have been in intensive training for the last two weeks at Kimigasara youth centre in Kigali and in Huye, holding two training sessions daily, according to head coach Eric Gakwaya.

"The fact that we will be playing in the tournament for the first time makes us train even harder, we won’t be intimidated by any team,” Gakwaya said on Monday.

He added: "We’re training well with a target of not only to reach far but to win the competition and I return home with the trophy.”

He said all his players are in good condition physically and mentally.

Both teams are set to depart for Kenya on August 19.