Rwanda Amateur Boxing Association (RABA) have kicked off the search for a qualified trainer to take charge of the national team ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games set for April 4-15 in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Speaking to Times Sport this week, RABA president Vicky Kalisa disclosed that they are searching for a coach with at least Level 3 coaching budge, preferably from neighbouring countries.

"One of biggest challenges we are facing here is lack of qualified coaches who are officially accepted by Association of International Boxing Body (AIBA). All of those that we have at the moment do not meet minimum international standards,” he said.

Kalisa disclosed that, among other responsibilities, the next national team coach will also have training local coaches among his duties.

"It’s a shame that we only have one qualified coach (Gashugi Kananura) in the country and he is also not active any more, which leaves us stuck with unqualified trainers, who are actually also not enough,” he noted.

Gashugi coached the national team for close to 18 years until he opted out of the sport three years ago citing "endless internal wrangles.”

There are about eight boxing clubs in Rwanda, they include; Kimisagara, Kigali Life, Rafiki, No Limit, Inkuba, Remera, Kigali Wins and Fitness, as well as Hillside Boxing Club.

Two boxers will represent Rwanda at next year’s Commonwealth Games, and Kalisa pointed out that preparations will kick off as soon as the national calendar is released early next month.

A pre-selection tournament will be organised in early March to select the two boxers, he said.

Rwanda joined the Commonwealth in November 2009 during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad and Tobago, becoming the grouping’s 54th member.

The country made her debut in Commonwealth Games during the 19th edition in Delhi, India, taking part in athletics, boxing, cycling and swimming.

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