Ndamukunda on the spot for hurting referee

Rwanda international Flavien Ndamukunda will face the local volleyball federation disciplinary committee over his unruly behavior on Sunday that left one of the referees seriously injured during the final of this year’s Kayumba Memorial tournament.

Monday, February 15, 2016
Debutants IPRC-South players celebrate with their supporters after winning this year's tournament.rn(G. Asiimwe)

Sunday

Final results

Serie A

IPRC-South 3-2 Kirehe

Serie B

Indatwa 3-2 Petie Seminaire

Women

APR 2-3 RRA

Rwanda international Flavien Ndamukunda will face the local volleyball federation disciplinary committee over his unruly behavior on Sunday that left one of the referees seriously injured during the final of this year’s Kayumba Memorial tournament.

The incident happened during a semi-final game between Ndamukunda’s side Mamba A and IPRC-South. The game ended 1-3 in favour of IPRC-South, which went on to win the senior men’s category title.

Flavien Ndamukunda. (G. Asiimwe)

It was an intense fight for the fourth set. Mamba A had 23 points, one point behind their opponents, who only needed one point to win the match. IPRC-South served the ball and after two passes from Mamba players, Ndamukunda went for a spike that was blocked but Ndamukunda claimed the opponents had touched the net.

However, the referee, who was standing on a top high metallic chair, rejected his appeals and awarded the point to IPRC ending the game 3-1, hence eliminating Mamba A, something that didn’t g down well with Ndamukunda.

Out of anger, Ndamukunda grabbed the referee’s leg and pulled him down. In the process, the referee was injured and was immediately rushed to the hospital.

The Rwanda volleyball federation president, Gustave Nkurunziza, said Ndamukunda’s behavior was totally unacceptable in the sport.

He revealed that the tournament organizers and the federation’s disciplinary committee will meet in the coming days to decide on the appropriate disciplinary measures.

"I am very sorry for my actions, I did it out of anger and honestly I felt we were betrayed by the referee. I accept my mistake and apologize to the referee, the federation and the volleyball fraternity in general,” said Ndamukunda Times Sport.

Meanwhile, IPRC-South, Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) and Groupe Scholaire officiele de Butare ‘Indatwa’ were crowned champions in the men’s senior category (Serie A), secondary schools’ category (Serie B) and the women category respectively.

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