UR to miss African championships due to financial constraints

National volleyball league men’s defending champions University of Rwanda (UR)- College of Arts and Social Sciences (formerly National University of Rwanda) are likely to skip this year’s African Club Championships due to financial constraints. This was disclosed by the varsity’s director of sports, Albert Kayiranga. “We are supposed to represent the country at the African Club Champions this year but are unlikely to make it because of financial constraints, we are having difficulties with funds at the moment,” he said. The tournament is scheduled to run from March 18 to 30 in Sousse, Tunisia. Teams must confirm participation not later than February 28. In the playoffs final last season, NUR beat archrivals APR in straight sets (3-0). Their skipper, Olivier Ntagengwa, was also named the most valuable player (MVP) of the season. It is understood that the club failed to sign new players due to lack of finances. Meanwhile, this season the UR-Huye side will be made up of only students, according to Kayiranga. The team is also yet to appoint a new coach following the resignation of Fidele Nyirimana. Nyirimana and his assistant Jado Castar Bagirishya left the varsity team after guiding then to their seventh league title last season. The two are now in charge of the newly formed Rayon Sports Volleyball Club. The new season is scheduled to start this weekend.