THE President of Rwanda Volleyball Federation, Gustave Nkurunziza has called on the volleyball fraternity to continue the spirit of remembering the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The volleyball fraternity lost several players, coaches and administrators during the Genocide.

Nkurunziza said that people, who love the sport, need to stand together during this difficult period as the country commemorates the 20th anniversary since the massacre that left over a million Rwandans dead.

"Our aim is to continue to be united and spread love to all Rwandans through the sport of volleyball.  We need to build strong relationships, which will help us to build a stronger nation,” Nkurunziza said.

Nkurunziza noted that if there was unity in Rwanda and togetherness, probably the Genocide wouldn’t have happened.

"It is through this love of sportsmanship that we will be able to fight any possible recurrence of genocide, not only in Rwanda but anywhere else in the world,” Nkurunziza added.

Times Sport has learnt that one player, called Alphonse Nkusi, who played for Group Scolaire/ Minitransco) and was killed during the Genocide has been identified, and he is among the 46 fallen sportsmen and women that will be remembered this year.

In June, the Rwanda Volleyball fraternity plans to organise a memorial tournament to remember over 46 members including players, coaches, and administrators, who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

The 20th Genocide commemoration started on Monday.

Since 1995, the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB) organises an annual Genocide memorial tournament, but last year it didn’t take place due to financial constraints.

Nkurunziza added, "We will recognise them through the memorial competition we plan to organise this year and next week we will be having a preparatory meeting for the event.”