At 25, Valentine Munezero has emerged as one of Rwanda’s most celebrated volleyball players, excelling in both indoor and beach volleyball. Her rise from discovering the sport at 14 to earning accolades on the domestic and African stages is a testament to her dedication and hard work. Inspired by Brazilian volleyball star Gabriela Braga Guimarães, Munezero strives to push her limits. In an exclusive interview with Times Sport, the APR star shared her journey, from her first encounter with volleyball to becoming a role model for aspiring athletes. Born on January 11, 2000, in Bugesera District’s Nyamata Sector, Munezero grew up with no exposure to volleyball. Neither her parents nor her siblings had ties to the sport. In 2014, during a school vacation, Christophe Mudahinyuka noticed her potential and approached her family with a request to train her. With their permission, Munezero attended her first youth volleyball camp at Petit Stade in Remera. Despite her newfound interest, she prioritized her O-level national examinations before committing to training in 2015. Her talent was quickly recognized by Jean Damascene Ndagijimana, coach of IPRC-Kigali, who offered her a place on the team while she pursued her advanced-level studies. By 2017, Munezero’s professional journey officially began when she obtained a league license to play for IPRC-Kigali in the national volleyball league. ALSO READ: Beach volleyball: Munezero, Mukandayisenga win Phase Two Munezero’s career milestones include her selection to represent Rwanda in the youth Commonwealth Beach Volleyball Games in the Bahamas. Partnering with Penelope Musabyimana, the duo earned a bronze medal, marking Rwanda’s strong presence on the international stage. She later captained the U20 national team in the African Championship in Kenya, securing second place and a ticket to the 2019 World Cup in Mexico. Her leadership and skill earned her a spot in APR Women’s Volleyball Club, where she has played for the past five years. Competing in both national and international tournaments, she honed her craft and cemented her reputation as a formidable outside hitter. In 2023, Munezero’s career reached new heights when she was named Best Server at the African Championship held in Cameroon. Reflecting on the award, she said, “It’s a great achievement in my career. The award, being at the continental level, proved my capability and opened doors, including a contract with Tunisia’s S-Faxien Volleyball Club.” ALSO READ: Munezero joins Tunisian’s S-faxien Volleyball team “This achievement inspires not only me but also other Rwandan female volleyball prospects. It shows that reaching the top at the African level is possible.” Playing in both Rwanda’s league and Tunisia’s, Munezero observed stark differences in volleyball development. “In Tunisia, players are introduced to volleyball at a young age, unlike in Rwanda, where many start in secondary school. This creates a gap in understanding the fundamentals,” she explained. Despite the challenges, she said, we are capable of competing at the highest levels. Rise to Beach Volleyball stardom Munezero has also made her mark in beach volleyball. Partnering with Benita Mukandayisenga, the duo achieved a fourth-place finish at the All-Africa Games and fifth place in the 2024 CAVB Beach Volleyball Championship. They have also twice been crowned champions of Rwanda’s National Beach Volleyball Tour. Their most recent silverware was achieved over the weekend at KingFisher Resort, Rwesero, when they beat Penelope Musabyimana and Amito Sharon in two sets 21-16, 21-11 in the final. The duo’s success stems from a strong bond. “Benita and I understand each other well since we both play the same position in indoor volleyball. This synergy made us one of the best duos in beach volleyball,” Munezero said. ALSO READ: Rwanda women pick first win in Continental Cup Challenges While excelling in both indoor and beach volleyball, Munezero acknowledges the challenges. “It’s not easy to pursue both, but it’s possible for those willing to take risks and learn from failure,” she stated. Looking back on her career, Munezero wishes she had started physical fitness training earlier. “If I had focused on fitness at a young age, I believe I’d be even better today. That’s why I advise young players to prioritize their physical fitness,” she said.
