Over the weekend from Friday, December 19 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, Falcon Golf and Country Club in Rwamagana, Eastern Province, hosted the first leg of the Rwanda Beach Volleyball Championship. The tournament attracted a large number of teams in both men’s and women’s categories, highlighting the continued growth of beach volleyball in Rwanda.
In the men’s category, 15 teams had registered, but 14 eventually took part. They were divided into four groups, some composed of three teams and others of four. Matches began on Friday with group-stage games, followed by knockout rounds leading up to the finals. Paul Akan, a Ghanaian player for APR VC, teamed up with Gisubizo Merci of REG VC, and displayed strong performance and consistency against tough opponents. They secured a place in the final after eliminating Niyonshima Samuel and Mbonigaba Vincent of APR VC in straight sets, 2–0.
On the other side, Nzirimo Mandela of EAUR VC, partnering with Niyikiza Levis of APR VC, also reached the final after defeating Munezero Cedrick and Shema Kelly of APR VC by 2–0 sets, setting up a highly anticipated final against Akan and Merci. In the third-place playoff, Samuel and Vincent claimed bronze medals after beating Munezero and Shema by 2–1 sets.
In the final match, Akan and Merci demonstrated experience and composure, defeating Mandela and Levis by 2–1 sets to claim the title of the first leg of the Rwanda Beach Volleyball Championship in the men’s category. The match was highly competitive and reflected the high level of play throughout the tournament.
In the women’s category, 11 teams had registered, with 10 eventually participating, divided into four groups. This category also featured exciting matches, with teams showing balanced competition. The team of Munezero Valentine and Uwiringiyimana Albertine of APR WVC reached the final after defeating Tuyizere Jacqueline and Sifa Ingrid of Kepler WVC by 2–0 sets.
The other finalist was the team of Yankurije Françoise and Nirere Aliane of Police WVC, who beat Ainembabazi Catherine and Ayepoe Sandra Azumerah of Police WVC by 2–1 sets. In the third-place match, Ainembabazi and Ayepoe secured third place by defeating Tuyizere and Sifa by 2–0 sets. In the women’s final, Munezero and Uwiringiyimana won the title after defeating Yankurije and Nirere by 2–1 sets, finishing the tournament on a high note.
The second and final leg of the Rwanda Beach Volleyball Championship is scheduled to take place between June 19 and June 21, 2026.
