The University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies (UTB) men volleyball team have begun early preparations ahead of the 2019/2020 national volleyball league, which kicks off on November 9.

UTB have never won the league title since the team was established three years ago, but coach Fidele Nyirimana and the club management have set new ambitions, chief among them is winning title.

Last season, UTB finished in third place in the national volleyball league.

UTB started training with new players include: Centre blockers like Fred Musoni and Emile Karera Dada from Gisagara.

In an interview with Times Sport, Nyirimana said that they started training with all players and he wants to win the Gisagara pre-season tournament slated for November 2-3 which he says will boost their morale ahead of the new season.

"We have started preparations in order to have a chance to compete for the national title but before the start of season, we are setting our eyes on the pre-season tournament,” Nyirimana said.

Meanwhile, on Saturday the general assembly approved eight new clubs of second division national volleyball and these include three men’s team and five for women.

The men’s team include: UR/College of Medicine and Health Sciences, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences and College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences.

The new women’s teams include: UR/College of Medicine and Health Sciences, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Groupe Scolaire Sainte Bernadette (Kamonyi) Ecole Technique Sainte Trinite de Ruhango and Groupe Scolaire Nyamasheke.

The men’s league will begin on November 9, while the women’s league is set to begin on November 30.

For the first day of the men’s elite league, Gisagara will play three matches against IPRC-Karongi, UTB and APR while the defending champion REG will host IPRC-Ngoma and Kirehe.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com