The second phase of the Rwanda Beach Volleyball National Tour saw a remarkable upset as Paul Akan from Ghana and Jahara Koita from Gambia halted the long-time dominance of the pair Olivier Ntagengwa and Patrick Kavalo Akumuntu. Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Munezero and Benitha’s consistent performance went uninterrupted.
Volleyball enthusiasts flocked to King Fisher Resort in Rwesero for the first weekend of 2025, where a Ghanaian-Gambian duo triumphed in the Rwanda Beach Volleyball National Tour Phase 2.
Ghanaian Paul Akan, a regular partner of Prince Kanamugire, switched partners to join Gambian Jahara Koita, forming a strengthened duo to challenge Rwanda’s dominant beach volleyball pair of Ntagengwa and Kavalo.
The exciting three-day event that attracted 22 pairs culminated on Sunday, January 5, with a thrilling final. Akan and Koita defeated Ntagengwa and Kavalo in straight sets (21-15, 21-19) to claim the gold medals.
Meanwhile, Mandela Nzirimo and Revis Niyikiza, another emerging beach volleyball pair, secured the bronze medals by beating David Neeke and Jean Paul Muyisenge 2-1.
In the women’s category, Rwanda’s top pair, Munezero and Benitha, maintained their flawless streak, showing no signs of slowing down. The duo has been dominating local competitions, building strong chemistry, and earning valuable points that have helped them rise in the FIVB Women’s Beach Volleyball World Rankings.
Following their triumph in Phase 1, Munezero and Benitha earned 40 points, bringing their total to 1,336 points, which moved them from 145th to 124th in the global rankings and 5th to 4th in Africa.
Valentine Munezero and Benitha Mukandayisenga defeated Penelope Musabyimana and Amito Sharon 2-0 (21-16, 21-11) in the final, adding this gold medal to the one they recently claimed at the Mamba Beach Volleyball tournament last month.
In this category, Francoise Yankurije and Aliane Nirere claimed third place by defeating Iris Ndagijimana and Sande Meldinah 2-0.
Apart from medals, the winners of this phase pocketed three hundred thousand Rwandan francs, while the second-place pair received two hundred thousand Rwandan francs, and the third-place pair took home one hundred thousand Rwandan francs.
The Rwanda Volleyball Federation has scheduled the Rwanda Beach Volleyball National Tour Phase 3 for June 2025, at the shores of Lake Kivu in Rubavu District.
Rwanda’s beach volleyball national tours have grown highly competitive, as the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) recognizes them, giving players the chance to earn points that impact their rankings in the FIVB World Rankings.
Image credits: derio_images
