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Rwanda Paravolley
World News

Christian charity helps Rwanda sitting volleyball women chase Rio Olympic dream

by Aaron James

CBM's support means Rwanda will become the first African nation to send a women's team to any Paralympic Games.

It's enabled training for coaches and referees, weekly training sessions for the team itself, and the provision of training equipment and a specialist training camp before the games.

The team of 25, many of whom have never left the country before, will compete for the gold medal in Rio between the 7-18th of September 2016.

Rwandan sitting volleyball team captain Liliane, 26, was hit by a car aged 8 which left her permanently disabled.

She has 2 children and runs a clothes shop.

Unlike volleyball, sitting volleyball requires all athletes to have their gluteus on the floor at all times.

Players in sitting volleyball are also allowed to block serves and come in contact with the opposition (as long as their movement is not obstructed), unlike in volleyball.

Speaking to Premier Christian Radio Laura Gore, from CBM, said: "By showing the abilities of these people with disabilities we're able to show other people what they can do.

"In the UK people might go along and there might be clubs available but actually there's very few opportunities [in Rwanda].

"Being able to support them we've been able to get the team over the last few years together to build their own confidence and show other people in Rwanda what amazing skills they have."

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