Eric Karasira has said that preparing for the upcoming All-Africa Games in Japan is a massive boost for Rwandan athletes in their bid to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The athletics and cycling delegations jetted off Sunday night, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight, and they will be based in Hachimantai City for the next three weeks, under intensive preparations, ahead of the 2019 All-Africa games.

The continent’s biggest sporting event is scheduled for August 16-30 in Rabat, Morocco.

Speaking to Times Sport on Sunday, Karasira, who is in charge of the athletics team, said that, "We want to win (All-Africa Games) medals and qualify for the Olympics. And, enhancing our preparedness in Japan is a great boost in that direction.”

"The specialized training camp will come in handy in our medal hunt in Morocco.”

The athletics team that departed Kigali for Japan includes; Noel Hitimana, Felicien Muhitira and Marthe Yankurije.

Under the tutelage of Felix Sempoma, the cycling quartet comprises Joseph Areruya, Didier Munyaneza, Renus Uhiriwe Byiza and Bernabe Gahemba.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com