Rwanda U-19 Volleyball national will compete in this year’s Genocide Memorial Tournament as way of preparing for the upcoming World Championships.Head coach Jean Marie Nsengiyumva hopes the tournament will help to give exposure to his players who are bidding to stage a successful debut in the FIVB World Championships slated for June 27 to July 7 in Tijuana and Mexicali of Baja California.“We will play as a team in this tournament before going to the World Cup and we hope to use this tournament to help my team gain experience and confidence ahead of the global event,”“Since foreign and solid teams will take part in this competition, I believe it’s a good platform for our team to access their level and standard and this will help us to know who is better and fit for the World Cup,” added Nsengiyumva.Besides the national youthful team, nine other local teams which will take part in the tournament include National University of Rwanda, INATEK, Lycee de Nyanza and APR set to compete in the men’s category while APR, Rwanda Revenue Authority, Ruhango, St Joseph Kabgayi and St Alloys Rwamagana will battle for honors in the women category.Thirty clubs are expected to honor the event with the major representation coming from foreign countries. Uganda has sent three clubs namely; Kampala Amateur Volleyball club, Sky and Nemo Star. Top premier division Club in France, Sporting Club de l’Ouest has confirmed to participate in the event, Tunisia U23 men and women and Pipeline and Commercial Bank will take part in the event.The matches will be played at Kimisagara and Amahoro stadium. Other countries expected to send their teams; include Burundi, Congo Brazzaville and Tanzania.
