Newly created Gisagara Volleyball Club have registered to compete in the national league next season. The league starts on November 26 (men’s league). “We have asked if we can join the volleyball league in the upcoming season and we believe that we are capable of competing with top teams,” said coach Eric Gakwaya. The former National University of Rwanda left attacker said they had signed six players and were looking to sign two senior players, with the other ten set to picked from young talents in Southern Province. The new signings include Pierre Marshal Kwizera, who has since turned down a coaching opportunity after leading Kirehe to fourth place last season; left attacker Patrick Kavalo from UNIK; left attacker Flavien Ndamukunda from Rayon Sports; central player William Mudahemuka, and setter Thierry Mugabo from UNIK; as well as libero Emile Ian Dada Karera. “We are also trying to get the right assistant coach and have signed experienced payers who we believe will work perfectly well alongside young players, who will benefit a lot from the senior players. We need to build a competitive team, not a team that’s just good enough to participate in the league, but a winning side,” said the former national team player. Gisagara is set to become the eleventh club in the league, with others including University of Kibungo, APR, Kigali Volleyball, Kirehe, IPRC-South, Rayon Sports, Lycee de Nyanza, and Umubano Blue Tigers. Another team which requested to join the league is University of Tourism Technology and Business Studies (UTB) volleyball club. The newly formed UTB started their preparations on a high, winning the 2016 Alphonse Rutsindura memorial tournament last month and the club has signed nine new players. The new teams will be assessed and likely approved during the upcoming general assembly which will be held on November 12 at Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali. While the men’s national league is set to start on November 26, the women league is expected to get underway on January, 20 2017. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
