Bujumbura is hosting an international beach volleyball competition for the fourth consecutive year. The President of the Republic, Évariste Ndayishimiye, attended the opening ceremony for the event. During one match, the Burundian pair secured a victory with a score of 21-10, 21-14. This ongoing competition marks a continued presence of international beach volleyball in the Burundian capital. For the fourth consecutive year, Bujumbura is proudly hosting this international competition.
Global Competition Kicks Off
The competition features sixteen teams representing several continents. Participating countries in this edition include Burundi, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Canada, Germany, Norway, Israel, Japan, Gambia, United States, Slovenia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. The competition brings together sixteen teams from these diverse nations, noting its global reach. Ms. Lydia Nsekera, the Minister in charge of youth, attended the opening ceremony for the event. The Burundian Volleyball Federation, established in 1991, also became affiliated with the FIVB in the same year. In September 2024, Burundi achieved notable results in previous tournaments, finishing 4th among women and 5th among men. This international participation shows the growing presence of beach volleyball in the region.
Burundi's Beach Volleyball History
Volleyball was introduced in Burundi in the 1950s by Catholic missionaries, with beach volleyball subsequently developing on the country's beaches starting in 1992. Burundi possesses beaches with fine sand that have received approval from international laboratories. The country faces difficulties hosting indoor volleyball competitions due to insufficient international-standard covered infrastructure. Beach volleyball originated in the 1920s on the beaches of Santa Monica, California, and later became an Olympic discipline. The sport is played best of three sets, with the first two to 21 points and, if necessary, a third to 15 points.
Burundi first hosted the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures in August 2023 at Petit Passant, an event that saw the participation of eighteen countries. In that August 2023 tournament, Burundian women finished 15th, while the men's team secured a 5th-place finish. The second edition of the Pro Tour Futures was held in September 2024 at Eden Garden Resort, engaging seventeen countries. During this second edition, Burundi's women secured a 4th-place finish, and the men's team again achieved a 5th-place finish.
Federation President's Vision
The opening ceremony for the current tournament took place at Eden Garden Resort, an event attended by the Governor of Bujumbura province, Aloys Ndayikengurukiye. During one match, the Burundian men's pair Florian Manariyo and Don Carmel Gakiza secured a victory against the German duo Long and Nikolai. Serges Ntakavura, president of the Burundian Volleyball Federation, noted the country's natural assets, stating, "We have beautiful beaches and fine sand approved by international laboratories."
Ntakavura also emphasized the broader impact of hosting international tournaments, noting, "Players from more than sixteen nations represent a sport that is commonly tourist-friendly. From Burundi's side, we will gain visibility for our country." He referred to previous successes, including the third edition of the Pro Tour Futures in August 2025, also held at Eden Garden Resort, which saw participation from eighteen countries. In that August 2025 event, Burundian women achieved a 5th-place finish, while the men's team concluded in 13th place.