The 2024 Mamba Beach Volleyball Tournament came to a spectacular close on Sunday, December 22, with gold medals awarded to the dynamic pairs of Akumuntu/Ntagengwa in the men’s category and Munezero/Benitha in the women’s competition.
The event, which spanned three action-packed days from December 20 to 22, exhibited thrilling volleyball action on the sandy courts of Mamba Club and Green-park Gahanga.
Now in its 16th edition and second as an expanded tournament, the Mamba Volleyball Club—comprising former volleyball players in Rwanda—has organized a beach volleyball event that has gained prominence, and the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB) has officially added it to their annual schedule.
After the group stage and knockout matches on Friday and Saturday, Mamba hosted the exciting finals on Sunday to conclude the three-day event.
In the men’s final, seasoned Patrick Akumuntu and Olivier Ntagengwa won the gold medal, defeating Paul Akan and Prince Kanamugire 21-19, 21-19 in a tough contest.
Johara and Matheus claimed the bronze medal with a 2-0 victory over Mandela and Levis.
The women’s final was nothing short of spectacular, with Rwanda’s top beach volleyball duo, Valentine Munezero and Benitha Mukandayisenga, battling it out against fellow APR volleyball teammates Penelope Musabyimana and Sharon Amito.
Munezero and Benitha edged out a close first set, 21-18, but Penelope and Sharon bounced back in the second, taking it 21-15 to level the match. The energy on the court soared, but Munezero and Benitha’s strong chemistry carried them through the final set, which they won 15-12 to claim the gold medal.
The battle was intense for former allies, now opponents, as Penelope Musabyimana and Valentine Munezero share a long history as childhood partners, having won a youth bronze medal together at the 2017 Commonwealth Games in the Bahamas.
Catherine Ainembabazi and Judith Hakizimana clinched the bronze medal in the women’s competition, beating Sandra and Jennifer 2-0.
In the veteran’s category, the final saw Mamba Beach Club’s sponsored pair, Gerard Muziganyi and Olivier Akimana, triumph over the Green Park-Gahanga-backed couple of Jean Luc Ndayikengurukiye and Bosco Bayizere. Muziganyi and Akimana dominated the match, winning 2-0 (21-10, 21-16).
The awarding ceremony celebrated the tournament’s success, with Mamba presenting substantial prizes to the winners in all categories.
Mamba awarded Rwf 300,000 to the winners in both the men’s and women’s categories, Rwf 200,000 to the runners-up, and Rwf 150,000 to the third-place finishers.
Mr. Raphael Ngarambe, President of the FRVB, praised Mamba Volleyball Club during the ceremony for its key role in advancing beach volleyball in Rwanda. He also recognized the tournament’s growing significance and announced its official inclusion in the FRVB’s annual calendar.
“We, as the federation, have seen the tournament’s growth, and we are pleased to officially include it in Rwanda’s annual volleyball calendar,” Ngarambe said, reflecting on the tournament’s growth and appeal.
Mamba Beach Volleyball 2024 attracted 10 professional men’s pairs, 4 women’s pairs, and 13 veteran pairs.
More Pictures:
