The reigning Rwanda National League champions, REG VC and APR W-VC in the men’s and women’s categories, triumphed in the Heroes’ Day tournament too. A two-day tournament to honor Rwanda’s National Heroes.
The Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders, and Decorations of Honor, CHENO began heroism week on January 20, 2023, under the theme “Our heroism, our dignity”. As Rwandans approach this year’s Heroes Day on February 1.
Chancellor’s Office together with the federations organizes yearly competitions in various sports in an effort to uphold the culture of bravery. In a two-day volleyball event, the top four teams from the recently ended men’s and women’s leagues squared off at Kimisagara Gymnasium.
In the semifinals, REG VC reached the final after defeating Forefront 3-2, while Gisagara VC beat APR VC 3-0, in the matches that took place on Saturday, January 28
In the women’s category, APR WVC defeated Ruhango in three straight sets with ease before RRA fell to Forefront in a nail-biting five-set match.
Sunday, the last day of the competition, Forefront finished third after defeating APR VC, and RRA defeated Ruhango in the women’s. Both match winners were decided in three sets.
The situation was different in the finals, as a deciding set determined the winners.
In a very exciting game, APR W-VC defeated Forefront in a five-set battle (25-20, 25-27, 25-20, 20-25, and 15-12) to win the 2023 National Heroes Volleyball Tournament.
In the men’s category, Gisagara was missing key players, the brothers Flavien Ndaimukunda and Patrick Kavalo Akumuntu who lost their mother last week, adding to the injured Sylvestre Ndayisaba.
REG VC won the first two sets swiftly (25-17, 25-18), but Fidel Nyirimana’s Gisagara team didn’t give up. They put in a lot of work to win the following two sets (25-17, 25-20). However, despite their best efforts, they fell in the fifth set 10-15.
This competition was not held for 2 years because of COVID-19. Last time, 2019, UTB won in both categories.
