As the countdown to Christmas Day begins, the sports weekend is already slipping into holiday mode, taking fans from the city buzz to the sandy courts along the shores of Lake Muhazi and into heated football rivalries in the Southern Province. From beach volleyball’s opening national tour to a crucial Matchday 12 league showdown between southern province rivals Mukura VS and Amagaju FC, as well as cycling's return to Musanze, Weekend Sport brings you a complete guide to the key events to watch. Beach Volleyball Tour heads to Lake Muhazi Following the conclusion of Phase One of the Rwanda National Volleyball League—where Gisagara VC and APR WVC topped the regular-season standings—attention now shifts to the opening leg of the Beach Volleyball National Tour, scheduled for December 19–21. ALSO READ: Kenyan trio on trials at APR WVC ahead of Phase Two The competition will take place at Falcon and Golf Country Club along the shores of Lake Muhazi, with eight men’s teams and seven women’s teams, each represented by a minimum of three pairs. In the women’s category, national stars Valentine Munezero and Benitha Mukandayisenga return as defending champions after winning both beach volleyball tours during the 2024 season. In the men’s competition, Paul Akan and Koita Jahara will defend their title after edging Olivier Ntagengwa and Patrick Kavalo Akumuntu in straight sets (21–15, 21–19) in a tightly contested final last season. Virunga Cross-Country Olympic returns Musanze District will once again host the third edition of the Virunga Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) mountain bike race on December 20. The men’s elite and under-23 categories will contest the longest distance, covering 32km over 10 laps. ALSO READ: Nshutiraguma, Ntakirutimana win Virunga XCO Mountain Bike race Meanwhile, elite women, U23 women, and junior men will complete 22.4km over seven laps, while junior women and amateur riders will cover 16km across six laps. The previous edition, held in July, was won by Kevin Nshutiraguma in the men’s elite category and Martha Ntakirutimana in the women’s elite race. Mukura VS and Amagaju clash in Huye Southern Province rivals Mukura Victory Sports and Amagaju FC will renew their rivalry at Kamena Stadium as the Rwanda Premier League enters Matchday 12. Their last meeting, played on May 17, ended in a draw, though Mukura hold the historical edge, having beaten Amagaju three times in their last five encounters. Elsewhere, Rayon Sports will play their first match under newly appointed head coach Bruno Ferry when they face Gorilla FC at Kigali Pelé Stadium on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 pm. ALSO READ: Bugesera FC stun Rayon in Nyamata as Marines climb to second Rayon will be seeking redemption after their recent defeat to Bugesera FC, but history favours the Blues, who have not lost to Gorilla FC since January 2024. Other weekend fixtures include APR FC vs Gasogi United on Saturday, while Al-Merrikh SC will wrap up the weekend with an additional league fixture against Gicumbi FC.
