Rwanda volleyball league champions Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Education of Kibungo (INATEK) have pulled out of the upcoming Men’s African Club Championships due to start in Cairo Stadium Complex today until April 1, the club’s chairman Laurent Ngarambe has confirmed. Ngarambe cited financial constraints after failure to secure sponsorship as the reason for pulling out.

The Ministry of Sports and Culture had offered Rfw10m for the team but Ngarambe said the money was not enough to accommodate the team during the preparations, travel and tournament.

Dominic Sesonga Ntawangundi’s side is leading the table with 17 points, two ahead of 2014 champions APR VC who beat Umubano Blue Tigers on Sunday 3-0 (25-19, 25-17 and 25-17).

"We looked everywhere, but we did not secure sponsors for the event and we have called it off. It is not good for our team because attending would have given them more confidence and experience,” Ngarambe said.

INATEK won the men’s title for the first since it was formed in 2009, while Rwanda Revenue Authority lifted the women’s category title.

The 2016 edition of the Men’s African Club Championship features 24 teams all competing for a World Championship ticket.

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