Kirehe Open will return this weekend after a two-year absence, with organisers introducing youth teams as part of efforts to turn the tournament into a platform for talent development. The fourth edition of the tournament, formerly known as Gisaka Open, is scheduled for October 2-3 at the newly renovated Kirehe District Gymnasium in the Eastern Province. The Rwf2.7 billion facility has a seating capacity of 1,200 spectators and is designed to host indoor volleyball and basketball competitions. ALSO READ: Kirehe’s Rwf 2.7bn gymnasium to be complete by mid-September The tournament has attracted 14 teams, including three youth sides — Rusumo High School (RHS), Bukora TSS and Gakoni — in what organisers describe as a new direction for the competition. The men’s division will feature six Division One clubs: APR VC, Gisagara VC, Kirehe VC, East African University of Rwanda (EAUR), Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and Police VC. The women’s category will feature Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Police WVC and RP-Kigali, while veterans’ teams Relax VC and Kirehe Veterans will also compete. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the tournament, Kirehe VC president Cyprien Sebikwekwe, Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB) second vice-president Geoffrey Zawadi and Kirehe District vice-mayor in charge of social affairs Modeste Nzirabatinya said the tournament’s return is part of a long-term plan to establish Kirehe as a hub for volleyball development. Nzirabatinya said the district’s ambitions go beyond reviving the tournament, with the new gymnasium expected to provide a foundation for nurturing young players. He said Kirehe wants to develop home-grown talent that can eventually strengthen its own club while also supplying players to teams across the country. “We have talents who have gone on to play for different clubs. But the main reason why the district invested in building such a gymnasium is to have a centre where young players can be trained so that, in the near future, we can have a club that competes for league titles while also benefiting from the talent developed here when those players move to other clubs,” he said. ALSO READ: Kirehe VC declare return to topflight volleyball Sebikwekwe said the club used the two-year break to strengthen its financial position before bringing the tournament back. “Over the past two years, since 2023 when the last edition of Kirehe Open was held, we wanted to step aside and rebuild ourselves financially. Now we have returned stronger. Besides the tournament, the club already has a budget of nearly Rwf400 million for the 2026/27 season, so our tournament is also here to stay,” he said. Police VC won the men’s title in the 2023 edition after defeating Gisagara, while RRA claimed the women’s title after beating Police WVC. Organisers have not yet disclosed the prize money for this year’s winners.
