Ivan Mahoro Nsabimana, the Rwandan international and UTB setter, is a hot property in domestic volleyball with top clubs racing to win his signature at the end of the 2019-20 season.
His new contract with the University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies (UTB) expires in September and due to the lengthy suspension of the league due to COVID-19 pandemic it is likely to be extended on a short-term basis until the end of the season.
Last month the local governing body for volleyball (FRVB) announced that the championship would resume in September, six months after it was stopped in March to curb the spread of the virus.
While it is certain that UTB will fight to hold the top setter in the region, we learned that reigning Rwanda Energy Group (REG) champions and former Gisagara champions have also expressed interest in signing Mahoro.
Mahoro stated in an interview with this publication that a number of teams have approached with various offers but he will not commit to any until his contract with UTB ends.
“I have not promised anything to any of the teams [chasing me], I still have a contract with UTB and I intend to see it through,” said Mahoro, who joined UTB in September 2018.
“UTB gave me the necessary exposure to compete at elite level. I would love to reward the club with the league title this season, regardless of what the future holds.”
Asked about his fitness status, Mahoro stressed that since the lockdown was declared in March, he was in ‘good shape’ and trained daily at home.
Mahoro, who made his senior international debut in 2014 for Rwanda, has been named the best setter of last year’s CAVB Africa Zone V Club Championship held in Kigali.
He had previously played in the National Volleyball League for GSO Butare and now-defunct Rayon Sports.
The 26-year-old also starred for Ural Federal University from 2014 to 2018 while pursuing his tertiary education in Russia.
