Sports

THE national U-18 men’s team has only three days to savour their incredible win over Kenya in the Zone Five qualifiers before returning to training on Thursday in preparation for the African U-18 Basketball Championships slated for August 16-25 in Maputo, Mozambique.

Rwanda won the men’s crown after defeating Kenya in the best of two (98-29 and 96-34) while the women’s team won the first leg 54-50 and lost the second 71-54, thus losing the tie.

According to Rwanda Basketball Federation vice president Freddy Makuza, the technical committee is scheduled to meet this week to set the training scheduled for the team.

“The aim was to win both the boys and girls’ title unfortunately; whereas the boys achieved the target, the girls’ team could not manage.

“We will meet with the technical people this week and evaluate the performances and set the training schedule and targets for the boys’ team in the Afro-Basketball tournament,” Makuza told Times Sport.

According to tentative arrangements, the junior hoops will be training twice a day at Amahoro indoor stadium in preparation for their debut appearance at the African junior basketball championship.

Meanwhile, the federation’s Secretary General Richard Mutabazi, says the triumph of the junior team is a sign that there is enough raw talent in the country which needs to be harnessed.

 “Our focus now is to look for avenues of developing the sport among the youth. There is no doubt that Rwanda has many talented young players, who just need to be developed,” noted Mutabazi.

Contact email: ostine.arinaitwe[at]newtimes.co.rw