The Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare (GSOB) is set to host its 15th annual ‘Memorial Kayumba’ tournament, from March 8-9.

The tournament which serves as a tribute to the late Father Emmanuel Kayumba, the former headmaster of the school, will bring together top volleyball teams from Rwanda’s top tier division division—both senior and junior—along with cycling and swimming competitions.

Father Kayumba Emmanuel, who passed away in 2009, was a passionate advocate for volleyball. Since 2010, GSOB has been organising the tournament to honor his memory.

Memorial Kayumba tournament has grown over the past 15 years, including a wide range of participants, from primary school students to first-division athletes.

Father Charles Hakizimana, the Director of GSOB, told Times Sport that the annual tournament will attract 39 teams, including 7 men's and 6 women's teams playing in the first division of the volleyball league, 20 junior and ordinary level teams, and 6 veterans' teams.

"This year’s edition has seen higher participation, which signifies that what Kayumba left as a seed has grown leaves all around. Not only are 39 teams going to attend, but we are still welcoming other teams until this Friday," Father Hakizimana said.

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Apart from volleyball games, this schoolworks with the Ministry of Sports to promote the talents of young people in sports through the Isonga program

As a result, swimming and cycling competitions were added to the tournament.

"We are nurturing future Tour du Rwanda riders for our country. That’s why, through the Isonga program, the school, and our alumni ‘Indatwa,’ we are trying to follow the footsteps of Kayumba’s legacy by adding more disciplines to groom more talents,” he said.

The tournament, supported by Huye District, the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB), among other partners, will utilize volleyball courts at GSOB, Petit Séminaire Virgo Fidelis, and IPRC Huye. Contingency plans are in place to use Gisagara Gymnasium and the University of Rwanda, Huye branch, in case of rain.

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He added that the tournament&039;s alignment with the Rwandan volleyball league's calendar ensures participating teams maintain a high level of play.

"Education and knowledge are enhanced through sports. It benefits our students when they watch these competitions and hear messages from leaders, which helps nurture their talents," he stated.

Last year, APR VC (women) and Kepler VC (men) won the volleyball titles, while Gisagara Volleyball Academy triumphed in the youth category. Kevine Ineza Butera won the inaugural cycling competition.