Kepler Volleyball Club have retired the No. 11 jersey worn by late middle blocker Patrick Byiringiro in honour of his lasting contribution to the club. Byiringiro passed away on Monday, July 13, after battling stomach cancer. He was 23. His death came just days after reports emerged that he was set to join APR VC on a two-year contract ahead of the 2026/27 season. ALSO READ: Volleyball fraternity mourns deceased player Patrick Byiringiro He was laid to rest in his hometown of Gisenyi on Sunday. According to Kepler VC president Nathalie Munyampenda, Byiringiro’s retired No. 11 jersey will be displayed at the club’s new gymnasium, which is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in December. Byiringiro joined Kepler VC in 2023 when the club made its debut in the Rwanda National Volleyball League. He quickly established himself as a key figure in the team's rise to the top tier of Rwandan volleyball. In his first season, he helped Kepler reach the league final, where they finished runners-up after losing to APR VC. He then played a pivotal role in the club’s back-to-back bronze-medal finishes during the 2024/25 and recently concluded 2025/26 seasons. Beyond volleyball, Byiringiro was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Management with a concentration in Logistics and Operations at Kepler College.
