Kenya, Rwanda rivalry in Bitok tourney

By Oscar Pilipili

The ever-rising volleyball rivalry between Kenya and Rwanda will be renewed again as clubs from the two countries lock horns in the Paul Bitok International tournament scheduled to serve off at Eldoret Polytechnic today.

The last time when teams from Kenya and Rwanda engaged in high-profile contest was during the Rwanda Genocide Memorial tournament in Kigali when Nairobi Water lost to Dorcas Ndasaba inspired Rwanda Revenue Authority in the women’s final.

According to list of entrants available, Rwanda has entered three strong teams in the event including Genocide Memorial tournament men’s winners, Patriotic Army of Rwanda (APR), a national team in disguise.

APR forms a bulk of men’s national team with players like Ugandan import Lawrence Yagan who is currently an icon in Rwandan volleyball.

Other teams from the mountainous Central Africa country are APR women and Kigali Volleyball Club.

Kenyan teams are likely to use their numerical strength to outdo their rivals from Rwanda with the hosts having entered at least eight teams each both in men and women’s categories.

National champions and cup holders Kenya Prisons men lead the hosts charge with strong back-up from General Service Unit , Ulinzi, Homegrown, Forest Rangers, Stima Mombasa, City Council of Nairobi and Kenya Meat Commission.

Kenya has also big names in women’s contest namely: Prisons who are defending champions, Nairobi Water, City Council of Nairobi, Ulinzi, Kenya Commercial Bank and school girls Malava and Kongoli all from Western Kenya.