By MARTIN KADDU
The 25th edition of the annual Kampala Amateur Volleyball Club (KAVC) International tournament is set to take place next month, from August 4th to 6th. This prestigious event, which attracts clubs from across the region, was officially launched this week at the Uganda Olympic Committee offices in Lugogo. Organized by Olive Ekallam and her committee, the tournament is expected to feature teams from Uganda and eight other countries, namely Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, Congo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Last year, the tournament was won by Rwanda’s Armed Police (APR) in both the men’s and women’s categories. This year, they will be defending their title against a strong field of competitors. A total of ten men’s and ten women’s local teams have been invited to participate in the tournament. In addition to the main competition, there will also be a primary schools’ competition, with qualifiers taking place on July 23rd at Samaritan Primary School in Namugongo.
The matches will be held at the national hockey stadium during the day and in the indoor stadium for the night games. This venue provides an excellent setting for the players to showcase their skills and compete at a high level. Irene Kiconco, the president of KAVC, believes that the tournament offers the best premier clubs in Uganda an affordable and competitive environment to excel in volleyball. It brings together top teams from the region and beyond, creating a platform for them to test their abilities against each other.
As part of their commitment to the community, KAVC will also be organizing a community social responsibility (CSR) activity in collaboration with their sponsors and partners. This initiative highlights the club’s dedication to giving back to society and making a positive impact beyond the volleyball court.
Last year’s finals saw APR emerge victorious in a thrilling match against the host team and record seven-time winners, KAVC. In the women’s final, APR defeated six-time winners KCCA to claim the championship title. The upcoming tournament promises to be another exciting edition, filled with intense competition and passionate volleyball action.
With the rich history of the KAVC International tournament and its long-standing tradition of bringing together talented teams from different countries, the 25th edition is anticipated to be a memorable event for players, fans, and volleyball enthusiasts alike.
