Rwanda opens with Ethiopia in Sub-zonal World Cup Qualifiers

THE national men’s senior volleyball team will start its quest against Ethiopia in the  sub-zonal FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships set to start on July 24.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Coach Paul Bitok taking his team through training at Amahoro indoor stadium. The New Times/ Courtesy.

July 25Rwanda     vs.     EthiopiaJuly 26Egypt     vs.     EthiopiaJuly 27Rwanda     vs.     EgyptTHE national men’s senior volleyball team will start its quest against Ethiopia in the  sub-zonal FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships set to start on July 24.The three-nation tournament will attract hosts Rwanda, Egypt and Ethiopia and will be held at Amahoro Indoor Stadium.The Rwanda Volleyball Federation, Executive Secretary Gertrude Kubwimana said Rwanda will face Ethiopia in the opening match on July 25; African giants Egypt take on Ethiopia on July 26 before Rwanda winds up the campaign with a tough match against Egypt on July 27.Meanwhile, Sudan has pulled out of the tournament.For the first time FIVB have granted Africa three places in the men’s category and two places in women’s group at the world’s biggest volleyball event.The CAVB determined that the African qualifiers will be played in three phases–sub-zonal, zonal and final phases.Rwanda will be looking to make the most of home advantage when they host the Sub-Zone and Zone 5 championship next Wednesday and in November respectively.Three teams will qualify for the next round and will meet with other top three teams from sub-zone of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi ahead of zone five, where the top three will go for the final round, which will determine the top three, who will represent Africa in World Cup.Meanwhile, the men’s senior volleyball team started intensive training on Monday ahead of the 2014 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships qualifiers.The team is under the tutelage of ex-Kenyan international Paul Bitok and Rwandan experienced coach Jean Marie Nsengiyumva.The national team is expected to play warm up games with APR club today and then with U21 national team on 22, two days before the tournament.