The Confederation of African Volleyball will introduce the Video Challenge System at the 47th edition of the CAVB Men’s Club Championship, scheduled to take place in Kigali from April 20 to May 3. The development was announced during the official launch of the continental volleyball tournament held at the Kigali Convention Centre on Thursday, March 5. The ceremony was attended by Rwanda’s Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire. Speaking at the event, CAVB president Bouchra Hajij said the technology will help referees make more accurate decisions during matches. “We will use the video challenge system to assist referees in determining whether the ball is in or out of the court. It will also help address complaints related to unfair refereeing,” Hajij said. The upcoming championship will also mark the first time the prestigious African club volleyball tournament is hosted in East Africa. The previous edition was staged in Libya. The introduction of the system—similar to the Video Assistant Referee used in football—is among several new features expected at the tournament, which will attract 26 of the continent’s top volleyball clubs. President of the Rwanda Volleyball Federation, Raphael Ngarambe, said the country is fully prepared to host the championship. “We are ready to warmly welcome this prestigious event to our Land of a Thousand Hills. Following the inspections we have undergone, we have no doubt the tournament will exceed expectations,” he said. What it takes to implement video challenge technology According to international standards set by the International Volleyball Federation, the Video Challenge System—also known as VideoCheck—requires advanced infrastructure, skilled personnel, and strict adherence to technical regulations. A comprehensive system typically uses between 12 and 19 high-speed cameras, and in some cases up to 23. These cameras, often recording at around 200 frames per second, are strategically positioned around the court to cover boundary lines, the net and the antennas, enabling accurate slow-motion replays. Rwandan international referee Alphonse Ndayisaba said attempts were made to introduce the system during last year’s edition, but technical shortcomings prevented its implementation. “It is an expensive technology, but since the CAVB president has announced it officially, I believe the body has learned more about how to make the system feasible,” he told Times Sport. The CAVB Men’s Club Championship will be played at BK Arena and Petit Stade.
