By Thomas Odongo
Uganda women’s topflight volleyball outfit Nkumba University (NUVC - A) on Sunday retained the women’s championship of the Rwanda Genocide Memorial tournament during the 2019 staging in Kigali, Rwanda.
NUVC - A beat hosts RRA (Rwanda Revenue Authority) Volleyball Club in straight sets; 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-22) to claim their second silverware in a row. NUVC came out of the Rwanda meet without a scratch as they eased past rival charges.
NUVC’s Flavia Nandawula was named best women’s libero of the tournament, while her team mates Grace Akiror and Sayder Kawere were named MVP and best blocker respectively. Last year, Nkumba University defeated KCB Volleyball Club of Kenya by 3-1 (23-25, 25-15, 25-22 and 25-19) to claim their maiden silverware.
NUVC - A has been sweeping all accolades coming their way even domestically and last year they retained the women’s national championship including their heroics at the National Club Championship, DR Aporu Okol Memorial tournament, Kabaka Cup and the like.
Meanwhile in Kigali, UTB won in the men’s final for the first time after beating REG VC 3-2 (52-15, 21-25, 19-25, 25-10, 15-13) UTB had a cast of Uganda professional stars in the shape of Daudi Okello and Karthbert Malinga. They were later named MVP (Most Valuable Player) and best attacker of the tournament respectively.
The Rwanda Genocide Memorial Tournament is organized every year, since 2013, in memory of members of the sports community who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
