The 2017 national volleyball league will kick off on November 26, according to the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (RFVB).

The start date was agreed upon in a meeting of the federation technocrats which was held on Friday at RFVB headquarters at Amahoro Indoor Stadium.

The men’s league will kick off on November 26 while the women league will start on January20, 2017 but these dates have to be approved during the general assembly which is scheduled for November 12.

The men’s league will comprise nine teams, one more than last season while the women’s category will have eight clubs, same number as the second division.

University of Kibungo (UNIK) won the league for a second consecutive season while RRA are the defending champions in the women’s league. Both UNIK and RRA will represent Rwanda in the 2017 Africa Club Championships.

Tentatively, the league will conclude in May while other tournaments including; Kayumba Memorial Tournament will be played in February, Genocide Memorial Tournament and Carre d’As in June, Rutsindura Memorial tourney in July while Beach Volleyball will be in August.

Meanwhile, the national U23 women’s team left for Nairobi, Kenya last night ahead of the upcoming Africa Championships, which will run from October 21-27.

Paul Bitok’s team beat All Stars 3-2 (20-25, 25-15, 20-25, 25-23 and 16-14) in the last warm-up match played on Friday at Amahoro Indoor Stadium.

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