No stars, only unity — Sport-S ready for continental test

Sport-S Volleyball Club head coach Malic Demulira says his team is ready for their first appearance at the 47th CAVB Men’s African Club Volleyball Championship in Kigali.

The tournament will run from Wednesday to May 3 and will, for the first time, be hosted in East Africa by APR Volleyball Club.

Sport-S will represent Uganda alongside Nemostars Volleyball Club after KCCA Volleyball Club withdrew due to financial constraints.

Demulira said preparations have been completed and the team is ready.

“The management has finalized all logistics and registration. The technical team has worked to ensure players recover from a long season and are in good condition. We are ready to raise Uganda’s flag,” he said.

He added that training has been competitive as players prepare for a higher level of competition.

“We have focused on tactics, endurance, and physical strength because the level at the African championship is higher than what we face locally,” he noted.

For the coach, playing at the continental level is a big moment for the club.

“It is a dream come true to represent Uganda at such a prestigious event. We are the reigning league champions and we carry the hopes of many people back home,” he said.

Demulira also emphasized mental preparation, saying the players are ready to handle the pressure.

“Our training has been both physical and mental. The team has accepted the challenge and will adjust to the competition,” he added.

The coach revealed that the team will rely on unity rather than individual stars.

“All players will be important. Our style needs the whole team to work together,” he said.

Sport-S will enter the tournament with their current squad and no new additions.

“We believe in our young players. This competition will help them grow and gain experience,” he explained.

Despite the tough competition expected, Demulira remains confident.

“We know the level is high, but we believe we are not far. We shall take one game at a time and play our style,” he said.

Nemostars bring experience

Meanwhile, Nemostars bring experience to the tournament. The Ugandan side made their debut in 2013 after winning their first league title in 2012, finishing 11th in that appearance.

Since then, they have been regular participants, featuring in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, and the 2025 edition in Libya. Their best performance came in 2019 when they finished sixth in Egypt.

Up to 30 teams have expressed interest in the competition, with East African clubs expected to dominate the entries due to the proximity of the host country.

Host nation Rwanda will be represented by APR Volleyball Club, Police Volleyball Club Rwanda, and Kepler Volleyball Club. Other strong teams expected include General Service Unit (GSU), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), and Equity Bank Volleyball Club from Kenya, while Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Zamalek are also among the sides registered.

Libya’s Swehly Sports Club won the 2025 edition after defeating Espérance Sportive de Tunis in the final played in Misrata, Libya.