Uncertainty looms over Gisagara VC’s participation in the National Volleyball League playoffs as the club is considering withdrawing, citing what it calls unfair match scheduling, a source told Times Sport. Unlike previous seasons where the playoffs were played in a best-of-three format, this year’s competition will be decided through a best-of-five series. The increase in playoff games prompted the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB) to schedule matches both midweek and on weekends. The playoffs calendar released by the federation shows that, due to a tight schedule that must conclude by May 16, teams will have to play twice a week. This differs from the previous arrangement where matches were typically played only on weekends. ALSO READ: Video Review debuts in Rwandan volleyball For instance, the first week of the playoffs will begin on March 14. After a two-day break, teams will return to action on Tuesday, March 17, before meeting again on Saturday of the same week. All fixtures will be held at the Petit Stade indoor gymnasium. However, Gisagara VC claim the schedule could negatively affect their title ambitions mentally, physically, and financially. Gisagara VC are the only playoff team based outside Kigali. Players must travel about 137 kilometers to the Rwandan capital, a distance the club believes could affect their performance during the playoffs despite finishing the regular season at the top of the table with 34 points. The club also argues that the arrangement will require additional financial resources to cover logistics during the playoffs. “The challenge is not only the distance but also the financial burden. This could cost us extra money that we didn’t plan for... we simply can’t afford it. We raised these concerns during the general meeting but they were ignored, which is unfair,” the source said. According to the source, the club proposed that some matches be played at their home ground in Gisagara to help reduce logistics costs, which they say is their main challenge. However, they accuse the federation and other clubs of showing little flexibility on the proposal. ALSO READ: “It’s our time!” Djibril insists Gisagara VC are built to win the title If the playoffs proceed as scheduled, the club will have to spend about Rwf27 million per week, up from the Rwf7 million they spent weekly during the regular season. “Honestly, we can’t afford to operate in such conditions. We have written to the federation requesting a revision of the decision; otherwise, we might be forced to take an unexpected step,” the source added. What does the federation say? Jean-Jacques Dukunde, the FRVB Secretary General, dismissed Gisagara’s claims, stating that clubs were involved in the discussions when the calendar was drafted during the general assembly. “First of all, whatever we discussed had to align with the dates set by the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) for other tournaments, whether at national or club level. Our calendar had to comply with those timelines,” he said. Dukunde explained that before announcing the playoff calendar, technicians from the four qualified clubs—Rwanda Energy Group (REG), Kepler VC, Gisagara VC and Police VC—met to discuss several concerns. ALSO READ: CAVB to debut video challenge technology at 2026 Club Championship Among the issues raised was the possibility of teams playing twice a week to ensure the playoffs conclude on time. However, the host venue, Petit Stade, is only available on Saturdays during the weekend as it hosts basketball league matches on Fridays and Sundays. As a result, Saturday and one weekday were considered the only available options. “That’s why, through mutual agreement, we decided that either Tuesday or Wednesday could be used. All the clubs at the meeting agreed and signed off on that arrangement,” he said. Dukunde also clarified that Gisagara cannot be allowed to host some playoff matches at their home ground because it would give them an advantage over the other three clubs. Instead, the federation opted for a neutral venue for all teams. Regarding Gisagara’s potential withdrawal, he added, “If that happens, it will require another meeting to decide the next steps. But for now, the federation is not considering revising the current decision.”
