Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and APR were crowned champions of the 2022/23 national volleyball league in men and women’s categories respectively. While REG amassed 57 points from eight legs to claim the title of men’s champions, APR won the women’s league with a round to spare having registered a total of 54 points from as many legs. The battle for the men’s title went down to the wire as both Gisagara and REG went into the eighth phase with a realistic chance of winning the league from either side. However, it was REG - led by coach Marshal Pierre Kwizera – who came out on top despite tying on 57 points with their title rivals. The power men, who edged out their southern province-based side to the title on wins’ ratio (4 legs compared to 3), now turn their focus on excelling at the forthcoming African Volleyball Clubs Championship scheduled in March. “It was a tough season for us since Gisagara pushed us all the way. I know them (Gisagara) so well having coached them before. It helped us in a way but I am proud of what my young team has achieved,” Kwizera told Times Sport. “Our two professional players from Cameroon, Guebela Boyomo Auguste Marechal and Marcel Guiondong, also played a big role for us with their experience coming in handy,” he added. While basking in the glory of his first ever league title with REG, Kwizera has identified gray areas in his squad that he intends to polish before the continental competition. “The African Clubs competition is a different ball game since we will face good teams from North Africa, Kenya and Cameroon. We need to sign a middle blocker and an outside hitter to strengthen our squad because we want to fight for a place on the podium,” the former Gisagara tactician noted. On the other hand, APR women's coach Florien Siborurema was beyond excited after his charges won seven out of the eight legs throughout the season. He attributed their impressive run to early preseason training and teamwork. “We had to work very hard before this season to get a good start in the league which brought us these results. We started training on time and participated in various Continental tournaments in Uganda and Tanzania which helped the players to get into competition shape,” Siborurema said. REG and APR enjoyed a dominant season having both added the Taxpayers’ tournament titles in November last year and Heroes Day silverware to their trophy cabinet in their respective categories.
