Mukantambara joins Turkish volleyball side

Rwanda Revenue Authority women volleyball club’s right attacker Seraphine ‘Baby’ Mukantambara has joined Turkish second division league side Elazig IL Ozel women Club. Mukantambara, 19, left the country on Thursday evening and inked the deal that runs through April, 2016, with both parties open to a possible extension. “I will do all I can to secure a professional contract, I am going there to give it my best shot and hopefully the level of my game will be improve, my dream is to play professional volleyball,” she said shortly leaving the country for Turkey. The 19-year-old, a regular for the junior national team, becomes the first Rwandan woman to ply her trade in professional volleyball ranks away from home. The 2014 Africa champion (of the youth beach volleyball staged in Ghana) is the seventh Rwandan volleyball player to go pro. The youthful right-attacker joined RRA Volleyball Club three years from St Aloys Rwamagana. “It’s just the start for our girls, I believe in the next few years we shall have many who will follow in her footsteps. I am glad we have managed to get a couple of professional players in a short time; most of the others are men and now Mukantambara will open the doors for the ladies,” said national team head coach Paul Bitok. Other Rwandan players who have since joined professional ranks outside the country include Lawrence Yakan Guma, Yves Mutabazi (both Oita Miyoshi club of Japan), Nelson Murangwa (who recently signed for the Danish second division league side Middelfart Volleyball Club), Placide Madison Sibomana (Shamal of Qatar), national volleyball team captain Christophe Mukunzi (Turkish first division side Payas Belediye Spor Voleybol), and Fred Musoni, who joined Finland’s first division side Liiga Riento earlier this year. Meanwhile Rwanda Volleyball women team entered a three-week residential camp at Petit Stade in Remera on December 11, after spending four years without competing on the international level. Bitok is being assisted by Viateur Sibomana of APR women club and Abdul Kalim Shumbusho, the Ruhango women team trainer. “We are preparing for international games, starting with the CAVB championships next year,” FRVB executive secretary Christian Hatumimana said. Players in camp include: Demitrie Muhimpundu, Lea Uwimbabazi, Delphine Uwicyeza, Belyse Irakoze and Olive Mutamba (Ruhango), Denise Mutatsimpundu and Laurette Higiro (APR), Judith Hakizimana, Beatrice Uwamahoro, Beatrice Uwimana, Charlotte Nzayisenga, Marie Paul Umutesi, Euphrance Niyomukesha and Ernestine Akimanizanye (RRA), Esperance Mushimiyimana of Lycee De Nyanza and St Aloys’ trio of Benita Mukandayisenga, Louise Muhoza and Hope Musaniwabo. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Mukantambara joins Turkish volleyball side