Rwanda international Nelson Murangwa has said that he has no intention of leaving the UTB volleyball club at least until 2023, ending speculations that he would part ways with the versity side this year. The hard-hitting spiker joined the University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies (UTB) from rivals Gisagara last year after inspiring the two-time Rwandan champions to the inaugural Africa Zone V Club Championship glory. He was voted as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Murangwa, who made his senior international debut for Rwanda in 2014, has been linked with a move back to Europe but he dismissed the ‘rumours’ in an interview with Times Sport this week. “These are all rumours. I am still with UTB at least for the next three years,” Murangwa said, explaining that “besides playing for UTB volleyball club, I am also a student at the university and I want to finish my studies before taking any other offers.” Murangwa, 27, who played professional volleyball since July 2015, returned to the country late 2018 after stints with Tricolorul LMV Ploiesti in Romania, Denmark’s Middelfart Volleyball Club and Japanese side Oita Miyoshi Weisel. He also briefly played for A.E. Komotini in Greece and Liiga Riento in Finland. “I am happy at UTB, there’s everything I need to succeed as a player and student. Above all, I enjoy working for the supportive management and coaching bench of the team.” The opposite attacker says that he hopes to win titles with the Kicukiro-based side. According to team manager, Philbert Mucyo, the club will make two big signings this year to beef up the squad – in the receptions and attacking departments – for the 2020-21 season. UTB finished third in the league last season. Since mid-March, the 2020-21 national volleyball league has been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic and will be resuming in September.
