TZ’s Nyika, Kenya Prisons clinch titles at Nyerere International Volleyball Tournament
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIAN side Nyika and Kenya’s Prisons teams delivered standout performances to claim the women and men’s titles respectively at the 26th Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere International Volleyball Tournament.
The five-day tournament concluded on Tuesday at the Mwembeyanga grounds in Dar es Salaam. Nyika displayed resilience and skill to defeat Zambia’s Falcon in a thrilling women’s final, winning 3-1 to secure the championship in front of a home crowd.
The Tanzanian team showed composure under pressure and cohesive teamwork, marking a promising moment for women’s volleyball in the country.
In the women’s third-place playoff, it was an all-Tanzanian showdown, with JKT edging out Star Girls 3-1 to finish on the podium.
In the men’s category, Kenya Prisons emerged victorious after another intense four-set match, defeating their opponents, Serengeti of Tanzania, 3-1 to claim the title.
The battle for third place featured an all-visiting clash, where Kenya’s Chema overcame Burundi’s Rukinzo, also with a 3-1 victory.
The annual tournament featured teams from four East and Central African nations — Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, and Burundi and serves as both a sporting celebration and a tribute to Tanzania’s founding father, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
His ideals of unity, Pan-Africanism and regional cooperation were reflected throughout the event. In the women’s competition, five teams competed in a round-robin format: Star Girls, Chui, JKT and Nyika from Tanzania, alongside Zambia’s Falcon.
The men’s tournament featured a broader field, divided into three pools. Tanzania was represented by six teams, including JKT, Serengeti, High Voltage, Nyika, Jeshi Stars and Police Zanzibar, while visiting sides included Falcon (Zambia), Rukinzo (Burundi), and Kenya’s Prisons and Chema.
The Mwalimu Nyerere International Tournament continues to grow in stature, using sport as a powerful tool for fostering unity and strengthening ties across the region.
