Gisagara VC made light work off defending champions Rwanda Energy Group to win the 2023 Genocide Memorial Tournament in Kigali.
The Southern Province team won 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-19) at the BK Arena in Kigali.
Gisagara had Samuel Tyson Niyogisubizo , Wycliff Dusenge ,and Karthbert Malinga to thank for a consistent offense throughout the two-day championship.
En route to the final, Gisagara defeated pre-tournament favorite Police Volleyball Club 3-2 in the group stage, won 3-0 against Uganda’s Nemostars in the quarterfinals, then another 3-0 against IPRC Ngoma in the semi-finals.
Gisagara returned home with a trophy and one Million Rwandan Francs richer.
In the women’s category, Police WVC were a no-match for RRA WVC in a one-sided affair.
The newbies, powered by Ugandan import Catherine Ainembabazi won 3-0 (25-20, 25-10, 25-14) on the night.
En route to finals, Police WVC defeated favourites APR WVC 3-1, in a game dominated by Ainembabazi.
This is Police’s maiden GMT title as they also walked home with one million Rwandan Francs.
The annual tournament is organized in honor of volleyball players, coaches, administrators, and fans who were killed during the 1994 Genocide.
The Genocide Memorial Volleyball tournament was initiated by former Rwanda international Antoine Sebalinda in 1995 after his brother Dominique Sebalinda was killed during Genocide, alongside other national team players.
The volleyball fraternity counts over 50 members who lost their lives in 1994.
The list of volleyball players who have been identified as victims of the Genocide.
Iminamikore Benjamin (UNR Butare)
Murekezi Regis (UNR Butare)
Ntagugura Placide (UNR Nyakinama)
Ntagwabira Basile (UNR Nyakinama)
Kumuyange Egide (UNR Nyakinama)
Karonji Canisius (UNR Nyakinama
Hategekimana Emmanuel (UNR Nyakinama)
Gasinzigwa Michel (UNR Nyakinama)
Rutayisire Théoneste (UNR Nyakinama),
Niyongira Justin (UNR Nyakinama),
Kagenza Alphonse (UNR Nyakinama)
Rwagashayija Innocent (GSO Butare)
Kayiranga Eric (GSO Butare)
Kamonyo Jean Pierre (GSO Butare),
Gabiro Eugene (GSO Butare),
Ngoga Sebalinda Dominique (GSO Butare),
Butare Alpfred Toto (GSO Butare)
Mukeshimana Martin (Buhiri ubu yitwa KVC)
Urimubenshi Vénant (KVC)
Rukamba Jean Marie Vianney (KVC),
Mugandura Jean de la Croix (KVC),
Gasana Callixte (KVC)
Ntaganira Innocent, Théogène (KVC)
Hategekimana Innocent (Petit Seminaire de Butare)
Sebalinda Gilles (Petit Seminaire Butare)
Gakebuka Camile (Petit Seminaire de Butare)
Ngarambe JMV (Petit Seminaire de Butare)
Tumukuze Jean Bosco (Petit Seminaire de Butare)
Rutiyomba Toussaint (Petit Seminaire de Butare)
Rutsindura Alphonse (Petit Seminaire de Butare),
Uwimana Abdallah (Minitransco)
Rugira Marcellin (Minitransco)
Gakwaya Vincent (Minitransco)
Kayigamba André (Minitransco)
Ngamije Esdras (Electrogaz)
Rudandi Jean Pierre (Electrogaz)
Kabagema Sosthène (Electrogaz),
Rugira Jean Bosco (Kigoma),
Kamanzi Goretti(Les Lionnes),
Mignonne (Les Lionnes),
Karasira (Ouragan),
Rugenera Landouard (College St André),
Ugeziwe Jean Berchmas (Petit Seminaire Ndera),
Mugaragu William (Ecole des Sciences Byimana)
Source: FRVB ( Rwanda Volleyball Federation)
