The 2016 volleyball national league will kick off on February 20, the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (RFVB) general assembly has decided.

The meeting took place on Saturday at Amahoro Indoor Stadium, Remera in Kigali.

The league will constitute eight teams in the men’s category and eight in the women’s category while the second division will also have eight teams, one more than last year.

According to RFVB president Gustave Nkurunziza, the level of competition is expected to be better than last season as they are planning to secure sponsors and to organise more competitions.

Newly formed IPRC-East Volleyball club will make their debut in the second division league, scheduled to get underway on March 20.

"The league has not secured sponsors yet but we are working hard to secure one and we have some people whom we are already in talks with,” Nkurunziza said. "We want to have a better league”.

Meanwhile, champions INATEK (men’s volleyball club) head coach Dominic Sesonga Ntawangundi has vowed to retain the league title.

INATEK beat rivals Rayon Sports and APR to their first league title last season and Ntawangundi is keen to retain key players that helped the Ngoma-based club wrestle the title from APR.

"Our mission is to defend the title and we will do everything possible to achieve it. We have already started preparations,” Sesonga said.

RRA are the defending champions for the women league.

Both INATEK and RRA will compete in the Africa Club Championships this year.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw