RAYON SPORTS VOLLEYBALL CLUB has pulled out of the 18th KAVC Founders International Memorial tournament due to financial constraints.

 APR, Kigali Volleyball Club and defending champions Inatek are representing Rwanda at the 18th edition of the NSSF-sponsored KAVC international volleyball tournament in the men’s category, while Rwanda Revenue Authority will participate in the women’s category.

This year’s tournament will be held at Lugogo, MUBS and Namboole in Kampala, Uganda.

Rayon Sports Volleyball Club president Erasme Ntazinda admitted that financial problems were the reason why they had withdraw from this year’s edition. "We have financial problems, which will not allow us to compete in the tournament but we hope that by next year we will be in a better position to send our team,”

Rwandan teams have dominated the annual regional championship, with six titles in the men’s category, two of them having been won by Kigali Volleyball Club (2004 & 2008).

Other former Rwandan winners are Amasata (2001), Blue Tiger (2003), APR (2005), and Inatek (2013).

Other teams that will take part in the tournament include Rukinzo and Muzinga, from Burundi; Young Club and Espoir, from DR Congo; Prisons, Administration Police, GSU, KCB, National Water and Pipeline, all from Kenya; SPLA Pham Warriors, from South Sudan; and Jeshi and Prisons, from Tanzania.

Ugandan teams set to compete in the event include;  Sport S, KCCA, Nemostars, Gulu, Old Kampala, Sky, COBAP, KAVC-A, KAVC-B in men’s category; and KCCA, Sport S, Ndejje University, Nkumba University, VVC, Espoir, KAVC-A and KAVC-B in the women category.

 Last year’s champions Nkumba University women (Uganda) and Inatek men (Rwanda) will be looking to successfully defend their titles.