Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) has confirmed the participation of James Sugira in the Under-17 World Championships scheduled for July 10-14 in Donyetsk, Ukraine.The 17-year-old, a student of Groupe Scolaire Kamonyi, trains from Kamonyi during week days and at Amahoro national stadium on weekends with the help of his coach Peter Ndacyayisenga.Sugira, who will compete in the 3000m category, qualified for the youth world championship during last month’s national championship held at Amahoro stadium. The qualification mark was 8 minutes and 47 seconds and Sugira covered the distance in 8 minutes and 40 seconds.RAF Secretary General Johnson Rukundo said, “The athlete (Sugira) is in good form, having enough training with his coach, and we believe he will carry the country’s flag with pride.”According to the official, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is taking care of Sugira’s air-ticket, meals and accommodation while in Ukraine, while the local federation will cover his upkeep.Sugira and his coach Ndacyayisenga will depart for Ukraine on July 7, three days before the championship kicks-off and will be back on July 15, a day after the championship.Elsewhere, Jeannette Uwera, who runs 100 & 200m, was the only Rwandan, who managed to win a medal in the just concluded Zone IV Youth Championships that were held in Arusha, Tanzania over the weekend. She took Bronze in the girls’ 100m.The four athletes that comprised the Rwandan team included; Faustin Mpamo (5000m), Tharcile Mukabahizi (1500), Diane Nyirabizeyimana (800) and Jeannette Uwera in 100 & 200m.
