Telecommunications giants MTN have improved their package for this year’s beach volleyball to a tune of Frw 20m.

The company announced the sponsorship last week ahead of the event which gets underway this Saturday at Kibuye.

"We hope the package will help the federation to organize a colorful competition. This sponsorship is in line with our commitment in supporting beach volley and local sport in general,” said MTN’s Public Relations and Sponsorship Executive Bosco Sendahangarwa.

"Beach volleyball is becoming a popular world sport and we want to have locals getting involved on the big stage.”

MTN will also make non-cash contributions that will include t-shirts, trophies and medals.

It’s the fifth year running that MTN is supporting the tournament, bringing the total of money sunk in the event since 2003 to Frw 30m.

Following the increment, Deo Nzaramba, an official with the local volleyball governing body, FRVB has promised a massive event.

"We expect a more vibrant event this year. The prizes are big and we except a thrilling contest,” Nzaramba said.
However, the format for this year has been revised.

Unlike previous editions which have always lasted two-days, this year’s beach volleyball contest has been spread over five weekends.

"The competition will be played in phases just like the league. We shall have five phases played in different venues all over the country,” the federation executive secretary Gertrude Kubwimana noted.

Phase one has attracted 43 teams; 19 male teams, 18 female teams and six veteran teams.

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