The international federation of volleyball (FIVB) has announced that the new deadline for the qualifiers of the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games is June 2021. Like many changes that have happened in sport around the world, over the last three months, the deadline extension by one year is due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has seen a lot more sporting events and competitions cancelled. The new Olympic deadline for the second round – of June 13, 2021 – follows the previous deadline that was due June 14, 2020. The same was applied with the third and final continental qualifiers, which have now been pushed to June 27, 2021. Rwanda was scheduled to host the second round, Group B, qualifiers in March 2020, which has since been moved to March next year in light of the devastating pandemic. According to Christian Hatumimana, the Executive Secretary of Rwanda Volleyball Federation, there is still possibility that some dates will change in future. “What we need to do is continue to prepare our teams and be ready to host the women’s qualifiers, certainly dates (for African qualifiers) can still change,” he said. “Everything has to run in compliance with the government’s prevention regulations.” In the women’s beach volleyball Olympic qualifiers, Rwanda is represented by two teams; the double of Charlotte Nzayisenga and Valentine Munezero as well as Benitha Mukandayisenga along with Seraphine Mukantabana. Meanwhile, Sierra Leone will host the second round of the mens category. Rwanda has been placed in Pool D alongside Sierra Leone, Egypt, Togo and Mali. Rwandan teams: Team A: Olivier Ntagengwa and Patrick Kavolo Akumuntu Team B: Venuste Gatsinze and Fils Habanzintwari
