Rwanda volleyball senior national team will start preparations in October ahead of next year’s All Africa Games qualifiers, which are scheduled to begin in January, 2015.

The Africa Volleyball Confederation has not set the dates and the venue of the event but head coach Paul Bitok is planning to start the training in early October so as to put his team in a good position.

Two teams from Zone 5 will qualify and Rwanda will face stiff challenge mainly from Egypt and Kenya.

"I need to start preparations, by October, with local players. Rwanda Olympic Committee has promised to support my programme and I hope for the best,” Bitok said.

The professional players, who will join the camp at a later date, include; Turkey- based duo of Christophe Mukunzi (who is also the team captain) and Lawrence Yakan Guma, as well as Japan-based Nelson Murangwa.

The regional showpiece will attract six countries including; Egypt, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Both finalists will earn a ticket to represent the region in next year’s All Africa Games due in the Republic of Congo.