This year’s Alphonse Rutsindura Genocide Memorial volleyball tournament has been put on hold due to financial constraints.

The annual tournament, which is organised by former Petit Seminaire Firgo Fidersi de Karubanda students has not been held since 2009 due to lack of sponsors.

The annual tournament is held in memory of former national volleyball team coach Alphonse Rutsindura and other volleyball players and fans, killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Rutsindura, who was a teacher and coach at Petit Seminaire de Karubanda (PSB) and a lecturer at the National University of Rwanda (NUR), was instrumental in helping the sport grow during his days.

Later on, he coached the national women’s volleyball team before becoming the first vice president of the local volleyball federation (FRVB).

According to Father Placide Uwineza, the head of Finance in Petit Seminaire Virigo Fideris Karubanda, the tournament could have been held each year but the sponsors were not forthcoming hence the decision to put it on hold indefinitely.

He admitted that even this year’s edition is still in doubt because of financial constraints.

"Getting sponsorship for the tournament has been our biggest problem over the years, but we are working hard together with former students to find a solution,” Uwineza told Times Sport.