Burundi dominate CAVB Zone V Beach Volleyball Championship as Uganda claim bronze.
Burundi emerged as the standout nation at the CAVB Zone V Beach Volleyball Championship, winning two gold medals and a silver as the regional competition concluded at Bunjako Beach in Mpigi District.
The Burundian teams swept the men’s and women’s gold medals, capping an impressive campaign at the championship, which brought together beach volleyball teams from across the region.
In the women’s final, Pamella Irakoze and Emmanuelie Dayikengurukiye staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Kenya’s Selina Gambo and Sharleen Sembel 2-1 in a thrilling encounter.
Kenya claimed the opening set 21-14, but Burundi responded with a narrow 21-19 victory in the second before sealing the gold medal with a 15-13 win in the deciding set.
The victory was particularly impressive given that Irakoze and Dayikengurukiye entered the knockout stage ranked eighth.
They defied expectations to progress through the quarterfinals and defeat South Sudan in the semifinals before completing their run with victory over Kenya in the final.
Burundi completed their double in the men’s competition, where Don Carmel Gakiza and Florian Manariyo defeated compatriots Christ Ornel Mukunzi and Jean Berthrand Iteriteka in an all-Burundian final.
The result earned Burundi both gold and silver in the men’s category.
Uganda Secure Women’s Bronze
Hosts Uganda finished on the podium in the women’s competition after Claire Najjuuko and Purity Nalua Nekesa defeated South Sudan’s Agor Madut and Diing 2-0 in the bronze-medal match.
The Ugandan pair won 21-15 and 21-12 to secure a medal in front of the home crowd, providing a positive conclusion to their campaign.
Najjuuko and Nekesa had narrowly missed out on a place in the final after losing 2-1 to Kenya in the semifinals.
Uganda took the opening set 21-12 but were unable to maintain their advantage, eventually falling 22-20 in the second set and 15-11 in the decider.
Their bronze-medal finish nevertheless highlighted Uganda’s competitiveness in the regional event and offered encouragement for the continued development of beach volleyball in the country.
Kenya also enjoyed a strong championship, claiming silver in the women’s competition and bronze in the men’s category.
Staged at Bunjako Beach in Mpigi District, the championship provided teams with an opportunity to compete for valuable FIVB world-ranking points while gaining important international experience.
Final medal standings
Men: Gold – Don Carmel Gakiza/Florian Manariyo (Burundi); Silver – Christ Ornel Mukunzi/Jean Berthrand Iteriteka (Burundi); Bronze – Anthony Chimanyi/Joseph Muliro (Kenya).
Women: Gold – Pamella Irakoze/Emmanuelie Dayikengurukiye (Burundi); Silver – Selina Gambo/Sharleen Sembel (Kenya); Bronze – Claire Najjuuko/Purity Nalua Nekesa (Uganda).
