Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB) new executive committee lead by Leandre Karekezi plans to construct a gymnasium in every district throughout the country as part of their long term strategy to develop the sport.

A four-year plan aimed at taking Rwandan volleyball to another level by working closely with clubs and the respective districts is high on the agenda for the federation.

Karekezi says the federation will help clubs to get into partnerships with the districts and other outside partners to build gymnasiums and when completed, will be able to host international competitions.

During his time as Mayor of Gisagara district, Karekezi initiated the construction of the country’s first international volleyball gymnasium. The Rwf921million state-of-the-art facility can also host basketball and sitting volleyball competitions.

The 950-seater facility is home to newly formed league side, Gisagara volleyball club.

"The commitment to take Rwandan volleyball to another level is unquestionable but the one thing holding back our development is the lack of enough and proper infrastructure. We want to discuss with districts and clubs to see how we can have at least international standard gymnasiums,” Karekezi said.

Currently, volleyball in Rwanda, in most cases, is played on outdoor facilities and the few indoor ones don’t meet international standards.

The available gymnasiums in the country include; Amahoro Indoor Stadium, Lycee de Kigali, Kimisagara Youth Center, NPC, UR-Huye Campus, Ecole Belge, Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle in Rubavu and Groupe Scolaire Notre Dame du Bon Conseil in Gicumbi.

However, the local volleyball governing body is planning to construct at least one gymnasium each year between 2018 –2020, which Karekezi says is the initial plan before expanding to cover the rest of the country.

Also as part of the four-year development plan, the federation is planning to organize training for the technical staff for both indoor and beach volleyball, which is aimed at boosting Rwanda’s chances to qualify for regional, continental and international competitions.

The trainers, Karekezi notes, must be able to ensure respect of rules and regulations as defined by the International Federation of Volleyball (FIVB.

He explained that, "We believe this plan will help to exchange ideas and good practices in order to develop and promote indoor and beach volleyball.”

FRVB’s four-year strategic plan has 5 major objectives:

They include; playing high level volleyball where the foundation will start from the talent detection, training and follow up of talents, training of technical managers, intensifying the practice of volleyball among Rwandans as well as improving infrastructure around the country.

The federation is also seeking to improve the results at the international level through implementation of the long term vision in relation to honing skills of coaches and plays coupled with improved infrastructure and equipment.

Rwanda beach volleyball team (women) qualified for the ongoing FIVB World Championships in Vienna, Austria after winning the Africa title; the senior men’s team booked a ticket to the Africa Championships, while the youth girls’ beach volley team won bronze at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas.

The youth make the majority of the Rwandan population so it means they can help in growing of a strong volleyball foundation but they need an efficient administrative system.

FRVB plans to train technical managers, intensify the practice of volleyball which will help the game to grown while there will be specific training and follow up of talent.

"To reach a high level performance, the key of success is to start with the real learning age through training and excellence centers, an interesting and impressive step in terms of detection and training of talent,” Karekezi told Saturday Sport.

The federation has started training of more than 1000 children (under 15) girls and boys at various training centers and more than 120 (under 17) girls and boys in excellence centers- primary and second schools.

He noted that, "We’re convinced that we cannot achieve sustainable development without trained sports masters and trainers, and it’s the reason FRVB plans to organize different courses for the existing coaches as well as train more.”

High level programme

FRVB’s ‘high level programme’ will consist organizing of training camps aiming at developing physical, technical, tactical and mental abilities of players locally and internationally.

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