Volleyball taking the right step

Rwandan volleyball has achieved unprecedented successful this year after the sport’s local governing body, FRVB, put in place plans to take the game to the grassroots level in a bid to attract young players and the country has sent four teams in world championships. Volleyball is one of the country’s most popular sports and it has been more successful particularly this year, but the federation needs to continue to build a stronger foundation for the coming years because so far they have achieved nothing apart from qualifying for world meets. Rwanda Volleyball Federation is the first and only to have four teams in world Championships and has been mainly due to using many young players from the schools. The volleyball federation is probably the most organised among all sports institutions in the country and as a result, the game is growing fast right from primary and secondary schools, all through to clubs. The federation goes to primary and secondary schools, which has resulted into two beach volleyball teams playing in the world cup held early this month in Poland: the U19 (boys) team, which is preparing to compete in world championships in Mexico this month, and the U21, which will play in the world championships in Turkey later this year. Volleyball has a good number of young players playing in thr national league, so there is hope that if the federation continues with its current way of doing things, Rwanda could achieve more and become a force to reckon with in the coming years. Over the years, Rwandan teams compete in regional and continental competitions at almost all levels, and so if more emphasis is put in searching for more young talents from the grassroots, things appear to be progressing pretty well for the sport. The federation has good programmes aimed at developing the game but they have to continue without stopping and need to make follow-ups on the young players, who will be the pillar for the country’s success in the future. The most important thing is to give a lot of motivation to the young players and make sure that their talents and potential don’t go to waste. The game is developing slowly but surely and if there’s continuality with what they’re doing, no African team would pose such a big threat to Rwanda. The federation is doing a great job following the achievements of the junior (boys), youth (boys) and the U-23 men and women teams. It is good to have four teams in the world championships but they have to continue working even harder so that we have even the senior teams on top in Africa—this is where it matters most. The country had set itself a target of being in the top three on the continent in both basketball and volleyball by the 2017 and it appears as though volleyball has reached the target at the limited age level. Volleyball was the most popular in the country back in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Rwanda was probably the best in the region and now it is bouncing back and the authorities must continue to look for the young generation who will carry the mantle to the highest possible level. The young players in primary and secondary schools must be followed up and given someone to look after them, guide and empower them in order to fulfill their potential, which can only be in the best interest of the whole nation. This policy of promoting young players should be emphasized across the board, not just in volleyball. With the basic requirements in place, Rwandan volleyball could-and-should in not so distant future, add to the four professionals we current have. Rwanda’s professional players include; senior national team skipper Christophe ‘Giba’ Mukunzi, Vincent ‘Gasongo’ Dusabimana, Placide Madison Sibomana, who are playing in the Qatar first division league as well as Algeria-based Lawrence Yakan Guma.