Africa-Press – Rwanda. With only two days before the Genocide Memorial Tournament (GMT) commences, several top-tier clubs have reinforced their squads, primarily with Kenyan players dominating the transfer market.
The three-day tournament, which unfolds at Petit Stade from June 20-22, is organised by the local volleyball governing body (FRVB) in collaboration with the National Olympic and Sports Committee to commemorate victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi through volleyball.
It’s an open tournament, allowing clubs to strengthen their squads while it also opens doors for foreign clubs to participate.
Time Sport looks at how clubs have fared on the transfer market ahead of the GMT:
APR VC
APR will be represented in both and women’s GMT competitions. The women’s club has so far appointed Kenyan Paul Gitau as new assistant coach for head coach Peter Kamasa.
Gitau, brings a wealth of experience, having also coached the likes of Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) as well as the Kenyan national women’s volleyball team.
A highlight of his coaching career was securing a gold medal at the 2015 All African Games. With Pipeline, he won bronze medal at the 2025 CAVB Women’s Volleyball Club Championship.
Pamela Adhiambo Owino
Kenyan opposite attackers Sharon Chepchumba and Pamela Adhiambo Owino have also joined APR for the GMT. Chepchumba previously played in Turkey for Edremit Bld. In 2024, she participated in the Olympic Games in Paris with the Kenyan national women’s team known as ‘Malkia Strikers.’
Adhiambo also boasts European volleyball experience, having played for LP Viesti in Finland. She also featured in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with Kenya. Before moving outside, the African continent, she led Kenya Pipeline to the 2023 national title, where she was also named Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Sharon Chepchumba
Despite strengthening their squad, APR WVC will be without right attacker Gaoleseletse Lizzy Gasekgonwe due to a knee injury.
One the men’s side, no new players are expected to join the club which will also be without their star setter Paul Akan.
Rwanda Energy Group (REG)
Sam Engwau
REG have also been active on the market after parting ways with their Brazilian setter Mathaus Wojtylla Mesquita and their coach Jean Patrice Ndaki Mboulet.
Among their new signings is Ugandan tactician Benon Bavuga Mugisha who is set to embark on a second spell with the club.
Another notable signing in the REG ranks ahead of the GMT is Ugandan middle blocker Sam Engwau.
Engwau was part of the Sport-S team that won the Uganda National Club Championship in 2023, where he was also recognized as the best blocker of the season. The club signed setter Crispin Ntanteteri from Police VC.
Police VC
Merline Terry
Police women’s club made just one recruitment by signing opposite attacker Merline Terry, who was a key player for Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) when they won the 2022 Africa’s volleyball championship.
Kepler VC
Violet Makuto
The university-led club has recruited Violet Makuto, who played for Kenya’s Pipeline club since 2014. One of the major highlights of her career includes participating in the 2014 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix.
Violet is the sister of Police VC star attacker Elphase Makuto.
The men’s team also acquired Galdet Maguong Mongom and Jean Patrick Ndaki.
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