National Volleyball League defending champions, Gisagara Volleyball Club are set to organize a pre-season tournament featuring all top flight teams from January 20-21 in Gisagara District.

The development was confirmed on Saturday by the team vice president Francois Xavier Mfashingabo.

The teams expected at the two-day pre-season tourney include Kirehe, UTB, REG, APR, KVC, IPRC South, IPRC East, UNIK and host Gisagara.

Mfashingabo said even if some clubs don’t honour the invitation, the tourney will still be held with the few that will positively respond.

"The tournament will take place in Gisagara and we want to have it every year,” Mfashingabo said.

APR, UTB and UNIK, Kirehe, IPRC South and IPRC East have so far confirmed their participation.

Gisagara signed former Rwanda international and APR center player, Theodore Hyango on a two-year deal.

Hyango formerly played for NUR, APR, College Inyemeramihigo and Rwanda U20, U23 and the senior team.

Coach Fidele Nyirimana’s team also signed Nelson Murangwa from Tricolorul LMV Ploiesti (Romania), Ivan Bob Ongom from Sports S in Uganda and Nicolas Matui from Water Club of Kenya.

Meanwhile, the general assembly held on Saturday at Amahoro National Stadium decided that the league will start on January 27 and end onMay 15 in line with the international Volleyball federation calendar.

Philbert Mutwarasibo also stepped down as Assembly General President over personal reasons and was replaced by the Vice president of general Assembly Calixte Kabera.

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