The Federation of Rwanda Volleyball (FRVB) has decided to support Fernand Sauveur Ruterana in his bid for the presidency of the Confederation of Africa Volleyball (CAVB) Zone V.

The elections for new CAVB leaders are due June 2020.

The announcement was made on Monday following a meeting by FRVB committee. Ruterana was endorsed at the expense of incumbent president Gustave Nkurunziza who has been in the position since July 2017.

READ ALSO: FRVB undecided on candidate to support in CAVB elections

Nkurunziza is a former FRVB president, while Ruterana is currently serving as the local volleyball body’s vice-president.

In an interview with Times Sport, Adalbert Mfashimana, the FRVB secretary-general, pointed out that Ruterana is an active FRVB member, while Nkurunziza is not, and that played a big role in the decision to choose which candidate to represent the country in the continental elections.

Ruterana’s recommendation has raised eyebrows both in the media and volleyball fraternity, with many arguing that Nkurunziza was better-positioned to win, and stopping him for reelection puts the country’s chances to retain the position in jeopardy.

Jado Dukuze, a sports commentator, calls for unit behind Ruterana, but says that FRVB should be held responsible for ejecting a more-experienced candidate if he does not win.

"Let us keep our fingers crossed for Ruterana since he is a Rwandan candidate. However, FRVB management should be held responsible if he is not elected. This is a poor gamble.”

"As someone who has been in the position, and who has personal networks with all the voting federations, Nkurunziza without any question stood a better chance.”

Before his election as CAVB Zone V president in 2017 when he replaced Burundian Louis Rwakiranyi, Nkurunziza was the FRVB boss for close to three years.

This publication repeatedly tried to contact Nkurunziza on his known telephone line for a comment, but he did not return our calls.

In the meantime, Léandre Karekezi, the current FRVB president, has also been nominated for a position in the CAVB Commissions.