The 20th edition of Rutsindura volleyball memorial tournament will be held in Huye and Gisagara Districts on the weekend of June 8-9, Times Sport has learned.

The annual volleyball tournament is held in memory of Alphonse Rutsindura, the former national team player and coach who was killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

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Regarded as one of the country’s most influential figure in volleyball before 1994, Rutsindura was instrumental in the growth and development of the sport in Rwanda.

He was also a coach at Petit Seminaire de Karubanda and lecturer at the University of Rwanda (formerly National University of Rwanda).

The two-day tournament will be organised – and hosted – by Petit Séminaire Virgo Fidelis de Butare in Huye District, Southern Province.

"We organise this tournament as to maintain the legacy left by Rutsindura’s dedication to volleyball development,” said Father, Jean Pierre Habanabashaka, the headmaster of Petit Séminaire Virgo Fidelis de Butare which will host the tournament’s finals.

Among many hats he wore, Rutsindura was the first Vice President of Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB).

Close to 50 teams have confirmed their participation at the competition. They will compete in various categories including primary and secondary schools as well as topflight volleyball.

Among participating topflight teams also include foreign teams from Kenya and Uganda as organisers look to turn it into a regional competition.

The winners in both men and women categories will walk away with a cash prize of Rwf1,000,000 each.

Police volleyball club and APR won last year’s edition in men and women categories respectively.

Confirmed teams

Men: REG, Gisagara, APR, EAUR, UR.

Women: RRA, APR, Ruhango, EAU, UR.