Upcoming runner James Sugira has been awarded a scholarship by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (Iaaf) to train at Eldoret High Performance Centre (HPTC) in Kenya. 

According to Rwanda Athletics Federation (Raf), Sugira, who took part in this year’s Africa Youth Games in Botswana and the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, will begin training in Kenya in November under the IAAF scholarship programme.

The ‘B’ scholarship programme has been initiated by Iaaf president Lamine Jack.

The Raf technical director Jean Pierre Ndacyayisenga told Times Sport yesterday that the scholarship will help to fine-tune the 18-year- old middle distance athlete ahead of the Rio Olympic Games as well as the 2020 Tokyo Games respectively.

Ndacyayisenga said: "While in Kenya, Sugira will be able to improve his skills which would put him in a better position to compete in future international events and at the same time attempt to qualify for IAAF competitions.”

"We want him to focus specifically on middle and long distances and Kenya has the best training center to develop such a young athlete,” he added.

Sugira, who runs for Ruhango Athletics Club, registered a personal best of 3:47:28 in 1500m in Nanjing Youth Olympic Games and has a personal best of 8:40:78 in 3000m.

The Kenya-based HPTC of Eldoret Center is located at 2000m above sea level, and specialises in training in middle and long distance.