A 12-man Rwanda (U19) volleyball team started preparations in Kigali ahead of World Championships due in Tijuana and Mexicali from June 27 through July 7.

Under the tutelage of head coach Jean Marie Nsengiyumva, the youth team entered into early preparations over the weekend at Amahoro indoor stadium.

The team will travel to Mexico on June 10 to play a series of friendly matches aimed at putting them in good shape ahead of the global championship.

Rwanda will play against France, Russia, Iran and Finland in Pool C at the High Performance Centre in Tijuana. 

In Pool A, coustisting of Mexico, China, Belgium, Tunisia and Poland will also play at the High Performance Centre in Tijuana, while Argentina Japan, Chile, Turkey and Cuba will compete in Pool B at the State Auditorium in Mexicali.

Pool D matches will be played in Mexicali with top-seeded Brazil and United States joined by teams from Egypt, South Korea and Algeria.

Rwanda has been boosted with latest additional players such as Jean Paul Ndacyayisenga, the younger brother to Rwandan international Pierre Marshal Kwizera.

Players in camp include; Jean Paul Ndacyayisenga, Sylvestre Ndayisabye, Samuel ‘Tyson’ Niyogisubizo, Robert Nshimiyimana, Patrick Ruzindana, Diogène Mukotanyi, Jacques Iradukunda, Jean Luc Rutayisire, Bosco Hishamunda, Elias Ndagano, Oreste Muhirwa Gabo and Eugène Nkotanyi.