RWANDA NATIONAL Olympic Committee has started preparing athletes for the upcoming 2022 Commonwealth games in Birmingham city. The tournament will take place at Smithfield, in Birmingham city center from July 28 to August 8. This development was confirmed by the Games Chef de Mission Jean Jacques Mugisha on Tuesday. Rwanda will be represented in four disciplines which are athletics, Cycling, Beach volleyball and Swimming. Cycling Rwanda Cycling National Team Coach Felix Sempoma has summoned 8 riders in the men’s category and they include: Eric Manizabayo, Samuel Mugisha, Etienne Tuyizere, Renus Uhiriwe and Eric Muhoza In the women’s fray, Diane Ingabire, Jacqueline Tuyishimire and Josiane Mukashema are in residential camp too. “The cyclists are in a very good state, looking forward to undergoing intensive preparations to ensure that they are ready for the Commonwealth Games,” coach Sempoma said. Beach Volleyball Seven players were summoned for beach volleyball and they are; Emmanuel Mugisha, Fils Habanzintwari, Mandela Nzirimo, and Olivier Ntagengwa, Prince Kanamugire, Venuste Gatsinzi and Gloire Niyonkuru. Christophe Mudahinyuka, the national beach volleyball coach said his players are doing well in training and that preparations started last week n Rubavu. “Our target will be to win a medal in the commonwealth games and we think it is possible based on the intensive training that the team is undergoing. I believe players will be up to the task,” Mudahinyuka noted. Swimming The national swimming team will be represented by Eloi Maniraguha and Isiaka Irankunda under the tutelage of Coach Patrick Rukundo. Athletics The team will be coached by Anicet Kanyabugoye who summoned players like Yves Nimubona and Justin Nsengiyumva in the men’s category while Celine Iranzi, Claire Uwitonze, and Emeline Manizabayo will be competing in the womens fray. Rwanda joined the Commonwealth in November 2009 during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad and Tobago, becoming the grouping’s 54th member. The country made its debut in the 2010 Commonwealth Games during the 19th edition in Delhi, India, taking part in athletics, boxing, cycling, and swimming.
