The Nakasi community rallied behind volleyball on Tuesday as the Nakasi Youth Volleyball tournament kicked off at the open Qeledamu court, organisers said, in the latest push to rebuild grassroots sport and prepare players for the upcoming season. The one-day event, run by the Genesis club in partnership with the Nakasi Volleyball Association, drew strong local interest and included off-court programs aimed at supporting youth wellbeing.
“This program was brought up to keep our youths engaged and active in volleyball as we build up to the new season,” Genesis club executive Seru Ramakita said. Ramakita said the tournament also serves to back the Nakasi Youth Volleyball Association ahead of a larger competition planned for June that players are already looking forward to.
Competition on the makeshift court was robust: 16 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams entered the tournament, organisers confirmed. Entry fees of $36 per team were collected and the pooled funds were used to pay prize money distributed to teams reaching the quarter-final stage and beyond, with special emphasis on supporting women’s sides through to the semi-finals.
Beyond match play, organisers integrated life skills and wellness sessions into the event schedule. Programs on drug awareness and financial literacy were held for participants, reflecting a deliberate strategy to combine sporting activity with community education and positive youth development, Ramakita said.
A key theme of the day was visible need for better facilities. The Qeledamu site is currently an open field without a concrete court or proper amenities, and Genesis has been actively seeking assistance to upgrade the venue. “Upgrading the Qeledamu court is important for the future of volleyball here,” Ramakita said, noting the club has reached out to stakeholders for support.
Ramakita also publicly thanked government figures for interim support, extending gratitude to the honourable Minister for Lands and the honourable Minister for Sports for what he described as unexpected but much-appreciated assistance. He said improved infrastructure and sustained backing would allow Nakasi to host regular competitions and develop a stronger pipeline of players.
Organisers hope the tournament will both maintain momentum through to the new season and raise the sport’s visibility across Nakasi, while the life-skills components aim to ensure young people are supported off the court as well as on it. The Genesis club said it will continue to pursue partners and funding to convert Qeledamu from an open playing field into a proper community volleyball facility ahead of the June tournament.
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