Rwanda U20 men’s national handball team on Tuesday began a two-week training camp in Huye ahead of the forthcoming Africa Zone 5B International Handball Federation (IHF) challenge tournament scheduled to take place from December 16-22 in Mukono District, Uganda.

The biennial tournament attracts the six East African countries namely; Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and South Sudan.

Defending champions Uganda that also staged the event in 2014 and went on to win the trophy, will host this year’s tournament following Tanzania’s withdrawal from hosting the event.

The team comprising of 16 players under the guidance of head coach Antoine Ntabanganyimana and assistant Anaclet Bagirishya, yesterday, kicked off extensive preparations at University of Rwanda, Huye campus aiming to win their first ever regional title.

"We have begun early preparations because we want to go there to win, we have a good team and we hope this can be a historic tournament for us,” assistant coach Bagirishya told Times Sport. In 2014, Rwanda competed in the men and women categories, but finished third in both categories, behind Uganda and Kenya.

"We hope that these two-weeks can be enough to help players get into the mood for the competition and build their game in time,” he added

Rwanda U20 national handball team has not been competitive in recent years, which saw them make only one outing last year in the Zone 5 All-Africa Games qualifiers, finishing last in Group A after Kenya and Uganda without winning any game.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Samuel Bananimana, Daniel Tuyishime, Thimothe Nshimiyimana

Pivot: Yves Kayijamahe, Haruna Bizimana, Shaffy Niyonkuru

Right back: Viateur Rwamanwa, Yannick Karenzi

Left back: Alexis Nshimiyimana, Jean Paul Muhawenayo

Right wing: Emmanuel Murwanashyaka , Shumbusho Maliyamungu

Left wing: Yves Umuhire, Etienne Nizeyumukiza

Center back: Zachary Tuyishime, Elysée Muhumure

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