APR women’s volleyball club will be out to win the Rutsindura Memorial Volleyball tournament, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday in Huye. As has always been the case, the two-day tournament will be organized – and hosted – by Petit Séminaire Virgo Fidelis de Butare, in Huye District. Rutsindura Memorial Tournament is held in memory of Alphonse Rutsindura, the former national team player and coach who was killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The president of Association Des Anciens Séminaristes Virgo Fidelis-ASEVIF, Alex Mbaraga said that they are doing all they can to organize the event at the international level where they will be inviting teams in regional and Africa. The tournament returns after two years and the number of teams taking part has increased to about 31 teams. The competition will cost Rwf30 million according to organisers. APR women’s team coach Florien Siborurema said, “It is one of the biggest tournaments in the club, so we need to be calm and ready for the challenge. Our target is to win the title. It will be very tough but we believe we’re capable of achieving it.” The tourney is expected to attract local clubs for senior men and women, junior of U17 and U15. APR women’s volleyball club will be looking to win the third title in a row after winning the league title and Genocide Memorial Tournament. Former national volleyball coach Alphonse Rutsindura was born in 1958 in Ndora in Cyamukuza, Gisagara District; he studied at Petit Seminari Butare and IPN (Institut Pédagogique National) in Butare. He was killed during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi alongside his wife and three children. Only his firstborn, Alaine Ikirezi survived the genocide that left over a million people dead. Regarded as one of the country’s most influential figures in local volleyball before 1994, Rutsindura was instrumental in the growth and development of the sport. He was also a coach at Petit Seminaire de Karubanda (PSB) and a lecturer at the University of Rwanda (formerly the National University of Rwanda).
