The national taekwondo team is in the Ugandan capital Kampala for the fifth edition of the Ambassador’s Cup that started on Saturday and ends on Sunday. The team of six men and two women left the country on Thursday evening by road. The national team coach Allan Irene Bagire is leading the team. This is the first time that Rwanda will be participating in the annual event that normally attracts all regional countries. The six male players include; team captain Benon Kayitare, who will compete in the U-54kg category, Jean de Dieu Ukwigize (U-58kg), Savio Nizeyimana (U-68kg), Moussa Twizeyimana (U-63kg), Innocent Sibomana (U-74kg) and Cedrick Mwemezi (U-80kg). In the women fray, Rwanda will be represented by Aline Ndacyayisenga in the U-53kgs and Clarisse Uwayo in the U-57kgs category. According to Bagire, the event will also help the team prepare for the upcoming events including the Genocide memorial tournament set for June 10, World Championships set for June 22-30 in Muju, South Korea, Ambassador’s Cup set for September and the Gorilla International Open in November. Last year, the team debuted at the 14th edition of the Taekwondo African Senior Championship in Egypt and bagged five medals. Currently, Rwanda ranks first in the East Africa region, second in the sub-Saharan Africa behind Cote d’Ivoire and sixth on the continental level after Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Ivory Coast.. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
