Defending champions Rwanda Revenue Authority (women) and Kibungo University (men) are upbeat as the 2016 KAVC Memorial Volleyball Tournament gets underway today and ends Sunday.

The two Rwandan clubs travelled to Kampala on Thursday night ahead of the two-day tournament, which will be staged at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

"It is not going to be easy for us because we will face strong teams from the region but we are well prepared for whatever challenge we will encounter. We are focused and determined to retain our title," said RRA head coach Jean de Dieu Masumbuko.

Meanwhile, UNIK head coach Dominique Ntawangundi said: "The players know they will have to give their best if we’re to successfully defend the title. We have prepared the team very well and we’re confident we can return to Kigali victorious.”

Others teams invited to take part include; DR Congo’s VC Espoir (men) and Volleyball Force Terrestre (women), Kenya will have University of Nairobi, Cooperative Bank, Administration Police and GSU in the men’s category, and in the women’s fray, it is Kenya Pipeline, KCB, and Prisons.

Cobra Volleyball Club (men), National Police Service (women), will represent South Sudan while Tanzania has Magereza women v-ball club and Jeshi Stars and Magereza for men. Burundi will be represented by Rukizo and Muziga in men and women categories respectively.

Last year, UNIK and RRA overwhelmed Ugandan opponents to win the 2015 edition.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw