But swimmers have been denied from competing due to the Rwanda Swimming Federation not "fulfilling requirements".

Earlier this month, the Rwandan team Chef de Mission, Elie Manirarora, revealed the swimming and boxing federations were banned from sending athletes to the Games in Gaborone, which is due to open on May 22 and last until May 31, because they had failed to "secure legal status" and had not conducted "reasonable preparations" for the event.

But, when contacted by insidethegames, the RNOC confirmed the Rwanda Amateur Boxing Association has since met the requirements, which will now see Jean Pierre Cyiza represent the country in Gaborone as its sole boxer.

"Rwanda's expectations of performance are increasing for teams participating on the continental and world levels," said RNOC executive director Martin Koonce.

"With those higher expectations, from time to time, team adjustments will need to be made that fit the limited budget that Rwanda has and allows Rwanda to achieve higher levels of performance in multi-sport events such as the upcoming games in Botswana.

"As Rwanda continues to move forward there will always be growing pains as well as a positive tension that exists between performance and participation.

"We want to ensure that all of Rwanda's players, while getting the opportunity to participate, are also trained and prepared to the highest levels achievable for such events allowing them to be competitive."

Rwanda will only have one boxing representative at the Africa Youth Games later this month ©Getty Images



This will be the second edition of the African Youth Games following the inaugural event in Rabat, Morocco, in 2010.

Rwanda will have athletes competing in 11 of the 21 sports on the programme in Gaborone.

James Sugira, Jean Marie Vianney Myasiro, Sifa Ingabire and Venantie Mukandayisenga will compete in athletics events, while the 3x3 basketball squad is made up of Odette Jordan Umuhoza, Martine Umuhoza, Better Umutoni and Nadine Rutagengwa.

Jean Pierre Cyiza, Benitha Uwamariyaka, Omar Nizeyimana, Ephrem Tuyishimire, Samuel Hakiruwizeye, Clementine Niyonsaba and Joseph Areruya will take part in cycling events, with Ange Nisingizwe and Aaron Taylor Koonce competing in fencing and golf respectively.

Rwanda will have four athletes taking part in the taekwondo events - Delphine Uwababyeyi, Clarisse Uwayo, Vincent Munyakazi and Emmanuel Twagiramungu - while karate will see Sakina Cyuzuzo, Razia Uwase and David Fils Niyongabo take to the mat.

Ernest Habiyambere and Oliva Tuyisenge will be aiming for success in lawn tennis with François Regis Ishimwe and Assoumpta Isimbi Kamanda competing in table tennis.

Meanwhile, Rwanda will be represented in the volleyball competition by Laurette Higiro, Demitrie Muhimpundu, Seraphine Mukantambara, Pascaline Mukashyaka, Olive Mutamba, Marie Grace Niyigena, Nassla Uwamahoro, Delphine Uwicyeza, Lea Uwimbabazi, Hortance Zaninka  and Belyse Irakoze.

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