APR volleyball club head coach Sammy Mutemi Mulinge has suffered a blow after his key player Fabrice Nkezabahizi sustained a major ankle injury on Wednesday ahead of the Rutsindura Memorial Volleyball Tournament which starts today at Petit Seminaire Virgo Fideris, Karubanda in Huye District.

The two-day tournament is expected to attract local clubs for senior men, secondary and primary schools, both in men and women categories.

APR, who were looking to win the title in the senior men, were left disappointed after their second skipper Nkezabahizi suffered an injury that is likely to keep him out of action for three months.

"Nkezabahizi is one my most dependable players, especially on middle tasks. His absence will be felt during this crucial period,” Mulinge said.

"We will have to deal with that but it is hard because he is the one who can play in the middle but we shall look for other alternatives. We will go into the tournament looking for a win” he added.

Teams to compete in the men’s category include holders UTB, APR, IPRC-South, REG, , Gisagara and Kirehe, while the women category has APR, RRA, Lycee de Nyanza, ENDB and Ruhango.

The secondary schools’ category include Don Bosco, GSOB Indatwa, PSVF, St Philippe Neri, veterans ASEVIF, Nyaruguru, Relax, Tout Age, Umucyo, Vetarans VC, WASAC, Ordinary, College Christ Roi, GSO Butare, GS Bigugu, and PSVF; while at the primary level, Butare Catholique, Elena Guerra, Simbi and Rukira will tussle it out.

The annual tournament is held in memory of former national volleyball team coach Alphonse Rutsindura and other volleyball players and fans, killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

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