Volleyball powerhouses Kepler and APR Women were crowned champions of the 2024 Memorial Kayumba tournament concluded at Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare (GSOB) on Sunday.

The tournament, which was in its 14th edition, is held annually in memory of late father Emmanuel Kayumba who contributed to the development of Rwandan volleyball before he passed away in 2009.

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APR women lifted the title after beating Police women team 3-0.

From the very beginning, the army side was dominant in all aspects of the game, with strong services, blocks and good receptions that helped to make attacks which were too strong for Police to cope with.

APR, who reached the final after beating East Africa University Rwanda( EAUR) in the semifinals, won the opening set by 25-17 and went on to claim the remaining two sets with 25-18, and 25-21 respectively, to lift the title, the first major trophy for club coach Peter Kamasa in his volleyball coaching career.

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Meanwhile, Kepler beat Police 3-0 (27-25, 25-21 and 25-20) in men’s final to lift the title for the first time.

The men’s cup winners progressed to the final after beating Kigali Volleyball Club (KVC) 3-0 in the semifinals while Police overcame Gisagara 3-0 in another last four encounter.

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In the junior category, Gisagara Volleyball Academy won the title after beating NT SS 3-1 (16-25, 25-23, 25-21 and 25-18).

Gisagara and RRA VC won Bronze at the tournament after winning their third place matches against KVC and EAUR, respectively.

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The Kayumba memorial tournament is a competition organised annually in memory of late Father Emmanuel Kayumba, a former headmaster of Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare (GSOB) who played an instrumental role in the growth of volleyball in schools and in the country at large.

The previous edition of the tournament was won by Police Volleyball Club, both in the men’s and women’s category.