Heads roll in Rwanda after CAVB disqualification

Jean de Dieu Bagirishya, the Second Vice President of Rwanda Volleyball Federation in charge of Operations has been arrested following an investigation in relation to the suspension of the national volleyball team from CAVB Women’s Africa Nations Championships, Rwanda’s New Times report. 

The official is suspected to have used forged documents in exercising his functions and investigations are on to establish the role of other federation members. 

Kenya’s, Malkia Strikers, were initially scheduled to play Rwanda who had qualified for the semis after victories against Morocco and Nigeria and were expected to finish top of their group A but the hosts were suspended after a protest by Nigeria that the hosts had fielded ineligible players. 

The four players in question, who are all making their debut in the Rwandan team, are right-attacker Aline Siqueira, centre Apolinario Caroline Taina, setter Mariana da Silva and left-attacker Moreira Bianca Gomes. 

In a negotiation, Rwanda has asked to be allowed to continue with their competition. CAVB proposed that the team be allowed to continue without the four ineligible players, a request declined by the FIVB stating that they make a decision that would contradict their own regulations on player eligibility. 

FIVB sports regulations provide that a player's federation of origin is the first federation to issue a national license or register the player within its federation. Registering a player means that the player has been registered to play in a volleyball competition for a club, team, school or any other volleyball entity affiliated either directly or indirectly within the federation. 

Paul Bitok, before Rwanda were suspended had admitted that the team held a special place in his heart ahead of the semi-final saying that he felt some pressure heading to the game. At stake in the semi, was a ticket to next year’s World Championships that Malkia clinched after beating Morocco. 

The experienced tactician who coached in Rwanda for ten years returned to the country to take charge of Malkia. Kenya finished second to Cameroon who retained the African title they had won in 2019.

Meanwhile, three men's teams will represent the continent at the World Championships. Egypt have been granted a spot based on FIVB ranking.