This year’s 30th edition of Dr. Aporu Okol International Memorial Volleyball tournament is expected to attract a high turnout of teams.

With Spike International as the major sponsor of the tournament, the number of teams that have confirmed registration has doubled compared to the 2023 meeting.

The three-day tournament that rolls off on Friday has so far registered 25 clubs, 6 corporates, 14 secondary schools, and 20 primary schools.

The event organized by the Uganda Volleyball Federation, Eastern Uganda Volleyball Association, Kumi District Volleyball Association, Spike International (sponsor), and in partnership with the National Council of Sports is in memory of the fallen volleyball icon Dr. Aporu Okol (Rip).

Cissy Opede, the chairperson of the Kumi District Volleyball Association said they have recorded an increase in the number of teams that are expected to take in primary, secondary, corporate, and club categories.

“I want to thank all teams that have confirmed participation in this year’s edition, because the number has increased from 46 teams in 2023 to 80 in 2024, and my special thanks go to South Sudan teams that have continued to come for the tournament,” Opede said.

According to Ingurat, the South Sudan Volleyball club that lifted the men’s trophy will have to defeat the Uganda teams such as SKY, KCB, Nkumba University, NEMO Stars, UCU, and Kumi University to retain the trophy.
He said the federation uses the annual event to identify talents, which can be elevated to play in different series.

“There are energetic and tall people in the region and I believe if we give them such an opportunity, we can tap sports talents,” Ingurat narrated.

“Sport has the power to bring together communities with different mindsets and we also believe that the gala will bring communities together.”

Juba Volleyball Club is the men's and ladies’ category where KCB Nkumba University is the defending champions.

In other categories, Zana High School and Ngora High School took the secondary schools’ trophies for boys’ and girls’ categories while in the primary categories, Bazaar and Kumi boys won the primary schools' trophies for boys and girls.

Winners in the tournament will walk away with certificates and trophies.