Two teams from Uganda and Burundi have confirmed their participation in the forthcoming Rutsindura memorial tournament due this weekend in Huye, Southern Province.

The annual event will attract the National University of Burundi and regional giants Uganda’s Kampala Amateur Volleyball Club. The two visiting clubs will field a team in both male and female categories.

The annual tournament is held in memory of Alphonse Rutsindura, a victim of the 1994 Tutsi Genocide. He was a teacher at Petit Seminaire de Butare (PSB) and UNR.

He is also remembered for being the first vice president of the National Volleyball Federation. He also coached the ladies’ national volleyball team in the early 90s.

APR won last year’s title after eclipsing National University of Rwanda (UNR) in the final. In the ladies section, UNR were still second best after going down in the final against KAVC.

According to Alexis Mbaraga, one of the organisers, 14 teams in the men’s category and 10 in the ladies’ fray have confirmed participation in this year’s event that is rolling into its 12th edition.

With sponsorship from CNLG, a body responsible for fighting genocide ideologies, and the ministry of Sports and Culture (Minispoc), this year’s cash prizes have been doubled.

According to Mbaraga, the winners will walk away with a trophy and a cash prize of Frw 0.4m while the first runners up will pocket Frw 0.2m.

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