All set for 2023 NSSF KAVC International Volleyball Championship

By Thomas Odongo

All is set for the 2023 NSSF KAVC International Volleyball Championship slated for August 4th – 6th (Friday to Sunday) at Lugogo Sports Complex in Kampala. The organizers, sponsors and partners expressed readiness to hold the annual event at a press briefing held on Thursday at Uganda Olympic Committee premises in Kampala.

A large number of teams is set to grace the championship which is celebrating a quarter-centennial. Five women and six men’s foreign teams from across the region are expected in town with some already in transit during the press briefing. 10 women and nine men’s local sides have confirmed participation and with them having home advantage, they’ll likely put up a good show against travelling outfits.

The championship has received a financial boost of UGX 50 Million from its anchor sponsor National Social Security Fund (NSSF). This marks 13 years of sponsorship aimed at providing a platform where Ugandan players can compete with their peers within the region.

“As a Social Security Fund, our other objective is to extend the savings knowledge within the sports culture, we are happy to note that a number of federations have approached the Fund encouraging their clubs to remit social security contributions for them,” Victor Karamagi, Senior Manager PR & Corporate Affairs NSSF told the media.

“We also want our Ugandan players to get exposure so that they could be seen on a good stage so that the professional clubs could have a look at them and you never know, one or two chances could arise. We also have to note that through this tournament, we have contributed to a number of Ugandan players going professional. A number of them are playing within the region and a few in Europe. Again, we are happy that we made that kind of contribution and we will continue to do so in the near future. I would like to thank the organisers for again enabling us to partner with them,” Karamagi added.

The Chairperson of the tournament Local Organizing Committee, Olive Ekallam says that they are good to go and fans should turn up in big numbers to cheer for their favorite teams.

“We want to guarantee that there will be security throughout the tournament,” Ekallam said adding that; “I believe it will be a very competitive tournament because even as a host team (KAVC), we are fielding two strong teams that have really been training hard. All teams will put up a good showcase because everyone has been training hard for this.”

Crown Beverages Limited (CBL) through the Aquafina and Pepsi brands are on board as drinks partners. Peter Kakumba who is the company’s Key Accounts Manager says that they are delighted to be part of this volleyball experience and happy to promote the game together with KAVC.

“Sports brings people together and as CBL we will help people celebrate by enjoying our drinks throughout the tournament. We have partnered with various sports events in the country and we are happy to be part of this one as well,” Kakumba said.

Kampala Amateur Volleyball Club (KAVC) President, Irene Kiconco had thanked sponsors and partners for the support and has called upon volleyball and sports lovers to spend this weekend at Lugogo.

The finals of the schools’ event of the championship will happen on Sunday at the Indoor stadium with Samaritan Primary School Namugongo and Sunrise Primary School taking on each other in both the boys and girls’ categories. However, the Lugogo Hockey Grounds will be used for some daytime games on Friday and Saturday.

However, last year, Rwandese team Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) Volleyball Club won both the men and women’s title of the NSSF KAVC International Volleyball Championship after triumphing in the finals played at the MTN Arena, Lugogo in Kampala.

In what was the tournament’s 24th staging, APR teams came atop Ugandan sides in the final with their men’s team beating hosts and record winners (seven times) KAVC 2-3 in the last game of the tournament whilst their women’s side withstood pressure to beat six-time winners KCCA women’s VC 2-3 in the other final.

APR men’s team have three titles in the championship whilst their women’s side have one.

NSSF is the tournament lead sponsor. The partners are; Crown Beverages Limited, Ministry of Health, Good Life Pharmacy, NBS Sport, Uganda Volleyball Federation, National Council of Sports and Total Energies EP Uganda.