Kenya aims for overall title at the inaugural ANOCA Games in Rwanda

A tough battle is expected from Tuesday in Huye town, Butare District in southern Rwanda when the first edition of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Youth games kicks off.

The maiden competition which concludes on Friday will comprise of athletics, cycling, taekwondo, beach volleyball and basketball with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) sending players for each category.

The five-day event has attracted eleven countries namely Kenya, Sudan, Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia and the hosts Rwanda.

The competition, designed for youngsters aged between 16 and 18, will see around 350 athletes vying for medals in different sports. In athletics, Kenya will be represented by 10 athletes.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, 2018 Youth Olympics 3,000metres champion Jackson Kavesa who will lead other Kenyans for the overall title hunt is upbeat Kenya will rule the inaugural edition.

“We have had good preparations as team Kenya after landing in Rwanda last Friday and we are set to win the overall maiden title. After a good 2018 show, I want to kick start my year in this championship and I am eyeing the cross country title,” said Kavesa ahead of the tourney.

Fresh from qualifying for the Africa U-18 Championships to be held in Ivory Coast, Mogonga High School sprinter Brian Tinega will also be in contention in 100m.

Others in the team are James Mwanzia (1500m) and Pesi Leshoo (800m).

Consequently, after the competition, all the athletes and officials will head to Kigali where they will join Rwandans in the April 7 Walk in commemoration of the 1994 Genocide set to take place at the Amahoro Stadium .