PHOTOS: APR HC beat Police HC to Crowned Beach Handball Champions

Beach handball action lit up the shores of Rubavu District over the weekend as teams battled for supremacy in an exciting tournament played from Friday to Sunday. 

The competition brought together some of the country’s strongest clubs and delivered thrilling matches, fast-paced play and impressive performances from both experienced and emerging players.

Teams that participated in the tournament included APR Handball Club, Police Handball Club Rwanda (A and B teams), Musanze Handball Club, Rubavu Handball Club and Tengo Handball Club.

The event attracted handball fans and sports enthusiasts who gathered along the sandy court to witness the growing popularity of beach handball in Rwanda.

The tournament began with group-stage matches on Friday and Saturday, where teams competed fiercely in the preliminary rounds to secure places in the semifinals.

Beach handball is known for its fast tempo and dynamic style, and the matches in Rubavu did not disappoint, with teams showing creativity, athleticism and strong teamwork.

Sunday’s schedule featured the decisive knockout matches, beginning with the semifinals. 

In the first semifinal, APR Handball Club produced a strong performance to defeat Rubavu Handball Club A.

APR secured a 2–0 victory, winning the sets 16–5 and 11–8 to book their place in the final.

The second semifinal featured an internal clash between the two Police sides.

Police Handball Club Rwanda A proved too strong for Police B, winning the match 2–0 with set scores of 12–5 and 16–9.

The result set up a highly anticipated final between APR HC and Police A, two of Rwanda’s most competitive handball sides.

The final match delivered an exciting showdown between the two teams.

However, APR Handball Club proved too strong, claiming the championship with a 2–0 victory over Police Handball Club Rwanda A. 

APR won the first set convincingly 14–5 before sealing the title with a tighter 9–7 victory in the second set.

In beach handball, matches are played in two sets, and teams score through regular goals.

If a team wins both sets, it is declared the winner without the need for a tie-break shootout.

APR’s ability to dominate both sets highlighted their strong preparation and tactical discipline throughout the tournament.

The tournament in Rubavu District not only showcased high-level competition but also underlined the growing enthusiasm for beach handball in Rwanda.

With more tournaments and participation expected in the future, the sport continues to expand its footprint while offering players and fans an exciting alternative version of traditional indoor handball.

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