The local volleyball governing body (FRVB) has recognized the annual Mamba Beach Volleyball tournament among official competitions featuring on the federation’s calendar. Raphael Ngarambe, the federation president, made the development on Sunday, December 22, while awarding the best performing players of the competition's 2024 edition, in a ceremony that took place at Mamba Club which organises and hosts the tournament. “The federation welcomes the Mamba Beach Volleyball tournament. For its second edition, which included professional players, we have seen progress and we are committed to lifting beach volleyball talent,” Ngarambe said. The 2024 edition of Mamba Beach Volleyball Tournament concluded with tough competition from top-tier beach volleyball talents. Sponsored by Skol Brewery Ltd, the three-day tournament ran from December 20-22 across two different venues namely Mamba Club (Kimihurura) and Green Park (Gahanga). This year’s edition attracted 14 teams, including 10 in men’s category and four in women’s fray. After a couple of knockout rounds which took place on Friday and Saturday, the finalists played on Sunday vying for medals and trophies. The women’s final was an intense showdown, with Benitha Mukandayisenga and Valentine Munezero emerging victorious after defeating Penelope Musabyimana and Sharon Amito in a thrilling three-set match (21-15, 18-21, 15-12). Mukandayisenga and Munezero took the lead by claiming the opening set 21-15 before Musabyimana and Amito fought back to level the scores after winning the second set 21-18, forcing the game into the tiebreak. It was a tense one but Mukandayisenga and Munezero prevailed, winning the tiebreak 15-12 to claim the tournament. In the men’s final, Olivier Ntagengwa and Patrick Kavalo Akumuntu triumphed over Paul Akan and Prince Akanamugire in two straight sets 21-19, 21-19. The closely contested match kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the very end. ALSO READ: Elite players vie for trophies at Mamba Beach Volleyball tourney The veterans’ final saw Eric Tuyishimire and Paccy Niyonasenze overcome Evode Igiraneza and Ignace Iyabato, with a commanding 2-0 set victory (21-10, 21-16). The third-place matches were equally exciting. In the women’s category, Catherine Ayinembabazi and Judith Hakizimana outclassed Sandra Ayepoe and Jennifer Tembo in straight sets (21-13, 21-14) to claim the bronze while Jahara Koyita and Matheus Campos secured third place in the men’s category after defeating Levis Niyikiza and Mandela Nzirimo (21-16, 21-19). For the veterans’ third-place match, Gerard Muziganyi and Olivier Akimana edged Jean Luc Ndayicyengurukiye and Jean Bosco Bayizere in a three-set thriller, ultimately winning 2-1 (21-16, 18-21, 15-8). The Mamba Beach Volleyball Tournament, now in its 16th year, has become a hallmark event for promoting beach volleyball in Rwanda. During the closing ceremony, Mamba Volleyball Club president Christian Shingiro commended the collaboration existing between his club and the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB) which has seen their competition added to the federation’s events calendar. “Our main goal of setting up a competitive tournament has come into reality. We appreciate how participants gave their best to compete at the maximum,” Shingiro said. He also thanked SKOL Brewery Ltd for the support extended to the competition. “We really appreciate the support. We have had a good competition thanks to their support,” he added.
