INNOCENT Nshimiyimana, one of three elite volleyball umpires in Rwanda, has been chosen to officiate at the 2012 London Olympic Games qualifiers in Cameroon.

The 44-year-old left for Yaoundé yesterday ahead of the five- day tournament that will feature teams like Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Cameroon, Guinea and Nigeria.

The winner of the tournament will represent Africa in at the Games.

Gertrude Kubwimana, the Executive Secretary of the National Volleyball Federation (FRVB) reckons that Nshimiyimana’s selection is testament to the growing standards of the sport in the country.

The women qualifiers will be held in Algiers from February 1-4 and Kenya, who have dominated the sport in the last decade, are eyeing that lone slot.

Besides Kenya and hosts Algeria, the other teams in contention are Tunisia and Egypt.

Meanwhile, the volleyball league is expected to start next month. APR (men) and RRA (women) are the reigning champions.

bonnie.mugabe@newtimes.co.rw & ostine.arinaitwe@newtimes.co.rw