APR Women Volleyball Club players and staff participating in the Women’s African club championship on Monday, April 7, joined Rwandan community in Nigeria in the 31st commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi. The event took place in Abuja, which is hosting the tournament since April 3 and runs until April 15. APR, who are taking part in the competition alongside Police, attended the event after the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) granted a one-day break to all teams to allow Rwandan clubs to join Rwandans in commemoration. After the group stages which concluded, both teams joined Rwandan community in Nigeria for the commemoration, a gesture that that left the Rwandan representatives honoured. “We are happy that they have given us one day off for gathering together with Rwandan community in Abuja. We are happy for this,” APR star Seraphine Mukantambara told Times Sport. From April 7 to 13, Rwandans and friends of Rwanda around the world participate in commemoration activities. This occasion marked 31 years since the 1994 Genocide which claimed the lives of more than one million people in 100 days. Besides the break, CAVB also blessed teams’ request to observed a minute of silence in every game they play during the tournament, in honor of victims killed during the genocide. “We are not taking it for granted because it means a lot for us and it will boost our morale in the next matches,” APR’s Albertine Uwiringiyimana said. APR return to action on Tuesday when they face Congolese side Volleyball La Loi in the round of 16.
