Meet Mukunzi, Rwanda's volleyball ace

The national volleyball team captain Christophe Mukunzi believes volleyball, just like any other sport, can be a source of livelihood if one takes it serious. Who is Mukunzi? Mukunzi was born on 8th February 1988 to Veronique Nibasenge and Mathias Gasarasi. He is the second born in a family of four boys. His father died during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Mukunzi attended Rubengera primary school in Karongi before joining Birambo Gashari secondary school for O-level studies. He completed his Advanced level studies at Ruyenzi SS in Kamonyi District. He later joined Adventist University Central Africa (AUCA) Masoro for a bachelor’s degree in networking, but dropped out after two years to concentrate on playing volleyball in 2011. “I put studies on hold because I had an offer to go and play at the professional level in Libya but I will resume my studies one day,” he said. Playing career Mukunzi started his playing career with Kigali Volleyball Club (KVC) in 2007 and four years later he turned professional with Libyan side Tarsana Club. He did not finish the season because of the civil war, which followed the overthrow of the late Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi. He returned to Rwanda and continued to play for KVC but at the end of 2011-2012 season, he got a fresh offer from Blida Club in Algeria, and after one season, he joined Qatari side Al Arabi Sports Club. “In Qatar it was a very difficult experience for me and I didn’t stay there long,” he recalls. Between 2013-2014, he went back to Algerian side El Fanar Ain-Azel Club. Now he is playing for turkey (Payas Belediye Sport Club) in second division. His contract will end at the end of the season. Early days Mukunzi started playing volleyball when he was in senior two in 2004, but in his own words he says he was not a very good player but was good enough to play for his school team. “I remember in 2006 my school played with Saint Joseph Nyamirambo at Saint Andre and the referee was Elie Manirarora (the current vice president of National Olympic Committee), and after the game, the coach of Saint Joseph (Cassius Isibo) offered me a chance to play for KVC,” he recalls. He added, “I was so nervous but I accepted. That time KVC was a very strong team with many Ugandan players and because of the level of the players’ skills, I thought it would be impossible for me to get into the team.” At the end of season, some of the top players joined APR. Mukunzi saw that as an opening to stake his claim—he started to train with KVC in 2007 and was registered to play for them until 2010. “Through playing volleyball I have learned a lot of things. I am a professional player and I play to make money, it’s my job and I like my job. Volleyball taught me how to make friends.” Mukunzi said that his elder brother (Hanson Micomyiza) was the one who encouraged him to play volleyball when he was in S1. His brother was studying and playing volleyball at Byimana secondary school. He noted, “He was not a big-name player but I remember one time when I saw him in photos clad in his school team uniform. I was encouraged.” “One day I asked him to give me his kneepad (genouilleur) from that day I liked volleyball, so you could say he is the reason I started to like the game.” The 26-year-old is thankful to his mother for not discouraging him from playing volleyball as well as KVC coach Jean Marie Nsengiyumva, who made him the player he is today. “When I met Nsengiyumva, he pushed me to train hard and I always worked harder than the rest of the boys, because I wanted to prove to him that I can make it. And also Brazilian coach Paulo de Tarsio and Paul Bitok (current national team coach) supported me so much to start my professional career.” Future “I want to be the best player, may be not in the world but at least in East Africa and maybe in Africa. I have the talent and I can use it to achieve my dreams.” After his playing career, he wishes to continue to be part of Rwandan volleyball, “When I retire from playing, my wish is to be part of the development of the sport in Rwanda.” Worst moment in life “Until now I still feel sad because of losing my father. He is not around to see how I can make him proud.” Achievements Mukunzi won the 2009 Kampala Amateur Volleyball Club memorial tournament in Kampala with KVC; he also won the same event with INATEK in 2013 and Genocide Memorial Tournament with INATEK and 2010 Zone V title with the national team. He was named best receiver in 2013 Zone V and in the 2011-2012 season, he was voted best player in Blida Volleyball Club. Mukunzi is in a relationship but he doesn’t want to mention his girlfriend’s name. “We are serious but we want to keep our relationship private, at the time of the wedding we will announce everything,” he said. Message to the young players “My message to the young players is that they must listen to what the coaches tell them during training but especially being disciplined. Sports is discipline without it you will never achieve anything.” “Young people have to love this game because Rwandans are capable of playing at the international level, we are capable of sending many players outside and we have to encourage young players,” he stated. “I remember when Eric Nsabimana came to KVC. We discussed alot and he told the secret for being a good player—he is my favourite player in Rwanda even if he is retired.”