Fixtures

July 15

Netherlands   Vs        Rwanda

July 16

Rwanda           Vs        USA

July 17

China               Vs       Rwanda

RWANDA senior men’s national sitting volleyball team will face Netherlands in the World Sitting Volleyball Championship on July 15.

The week-long IPC World Sitting Volleyball Championships will run from July 15-22. Rwanda is pooled in Group A alongside; Netherlands, the United States and China.

Eric Gakwaya’s side return to the World Championships eight years after they were eliminated from the preliminary round in Oklahoma, U.S with only one victory (against India) out of four games played. They lost to Croatia, Libya and Morocco.

While speaking to Sunday Sport yesterday, head coach Gakwaya said it is going to be a ‘tough ride’ since they have been placed against the hosts and two of the world’s best teams but the priority remains to fight for a ticket to the knock-out stages.

"It is a tough call, having US and China in the same group, and the hosts; it won’t be easy for us. Nonetheless, we are preparing accordingly and at the same time learning more about our opponents. We want to get out of group stages,” said Gakwaya.

After the opening match on July 15, Rwanda will be back in action the following day against the United States before wrapping up against China on July 17.

The top two teams from each of the tournament’s four groups will automatically advance to the round of last eight. Rwanda will represent Africa along with Egypt who have been placed in Group D with Poland, Iran and reigning champions Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Group B is comprised of Russia, Germany, Japan and Iraq while Group C is made of; Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Brazil and Croatia.

The men’s preliminary round matches will take place in Venlo and Eindhoven before the semifinals and finals take place in The Hague on July 21 and 22.

Meanwhile, Arnhem hosts the women’s preliminary round matches before heading to Rotterdam for the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals from July 19 to 21.

Provisional squad

Callixte Twagirayezu, Dominique Bizimana, Jean Baptiste Gahamanyi, Vincent Tuyisenge, Jean Claude Ndahiro, Theogene Hakizimana, Jean Baptiste Ndayisaba ,Jean Semana, Emile Vuningobo, Jean Baptiste Murema, Fulgence Hagenimana, Innocent Niyitegeka, Fidele Gatete Patrick Imanirutabyose and Viateur Dusabimana.

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