RWANDA volleyball legend Jean Luc Ndayikengurukiye has been named caretaking coach of the national beach volleyball teams ahead of the 2019 Beach Volleyball World Championships. The development was confirmed to Times Sport on Wednesday by Adalbert Mfashimana, the Secretary General of Rwanda Volleyball Federation. This year’s edition of the biennial world championships is set for June 28 through July 7 in Hamburg, Germany. Ndayikengurukiye, 43, takes over from Paul Bitok who had been in charge of the teams for the last nine years. The Kenyan tactician’s current contract runs out on June 30, and he has opted not to extend it. However, Ndayikengurukiye’s appointment pends the approval of the Local Government Ministry since he is a staff of Ngororero District. “We are confident that he (Jean Luc) will be freed for a few weeks, and guide the national teams through the world championships. His vast knowledge in local volleyball, history as a player and passion for the sport makes him stand out as a suitable candidate for the job,” said Mfashimana. Through the male duo of Olivier Ntagengwa and Patrick Kavalo Akumuntu, and the female partnership of Charlotte Nzayisenga and Judith Hakizimana, Rwanda is the only African country that will field both men and women’s frays at the world championships. The two teams started intensive preparations at Amahoro Stadium on Wednesday. Ntagengwa and Akumuntu have been drawn in Group L along with the hosts Germany, Iran and the United States, while Nzayisenga and Hakizimana are in Group D, also against the hosts, Brazil and Spain. Ndayikengurukiye, who previously guided Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) to two league titles, is a former skipper of APR and the men’s national volleyball team. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
