APR men’s volleyball club begins their defense for Nyerere Volleyball championship on Friday, October 11, when they take on home side Serengeti in Moshi, Tanzania.

The tournament, organised annually by the Tanzania Amateur Volleyball Association (TAVA), brings together volleyball clubs from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This year’s competition features top volleyball clubs from across East Africa, all gathering to commemorate Tanzania’s founding president, Julius Nyerere. With both APR teams set to defend their reputation, the fixtures are now set, revealing intense matchups from the get-go.

APR, having participated in the tournament since 2017, will again compete in both the men’s and women’s categories.

The army side won the 2023 edition in men’s category after beating Rukinzo VC of Burundi 3-1. They now aim to retain the trophy of the tournament which kicks off on Friday.

Serengeti and APR were both drawn in Group A alongside BUN and Arusha Champions while Group B features last year’s runners-up Rukinzo, alongside Administration Police of Kenya, TAA, and Tanzania Prisons.

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In the women’s competition, four teams are set to battle it out in a round-robin system. APR Women will face Star Girls from Tanzania in their first game on Friday at 11am, followed by another game against Tanzania Prisons in the afternoon. Saturday, October 12, will see the army side take on Chui at 11am.

The round-robin format ensures that all teams qualify for the semifinals, where the top-ranked team will face the fourth-placed side, and the second will challenge the third.

With APR’s strong record in this competition, particularly their victory in the men’s category last year, they will be aiming to retain the trophy.