Gambian Coach Reacts to All Africa Games Draws

Gambia men’s volleyball team are handed a tough task in their first ever appearance in the men indoor 2015 All Africa Games. The Gambia are up against five-time champions Egypt, while they are also up against 2011 host Mozambique and the 2015 hosts Congo Brazzaville, the other opponents will be Botswana and Nigeria in pool A of the 11th edition of All Africa Games 2015 in Congo Brazzaville. Gambia claimed silver in Zone 2 qualifiers in Cape Verde from a pool that comprises of Senegal, Mali, Mauritania and Sierra Leone.

Gambia would surely be the dark horses in the pool and will be looking for their first continental silverware. The enthusiasm of the Gambian team emerged from the re-energized Gambian national federation that recently changed leadership. Gambia ranked 2nd in Zone II has recently organized two coaching courses level I and level II to enhance the capabilities of the technicians and that has proved productive in the country’s recent exploits in Zone II. The head coach of the Gambian team Ebrima Nyassi reacted to the draw saying they would come all out to cause upsets.

‘’We are going to play against diverse nations with different styles of modern volleyball, so we have to prepare expansively. There is no need to explain that we will be competing against teams from the best volleyball nations in Africa. I am pleased that we will get to know all the renowned style and background of African volleyball. Nyassi said’’ he went on to dismiss Egypt’s dominance in the Games. “we respect Egypt for the fact that they are one of the most decorated team in the Games history but we can create upsets”.

Gambia men’s volleyball team

Senior player Sanu Secka believed that this is an opportunity for Gambia to be known in global volleyball. ‘’We work hard to book qualifications, now we are in Congo and the target is the gold medal’’ the attacker said.

All Africa Games will be hosted by Congo Brazzaville September 4 to 19, 2015 where the 12 teams of each category will be divided into 2 preliminary pools, each playing a round robin and the top 2 teams qualify to the semifinal. The winner of Pool A meets the second of Pool B and the winner of Pool B faces the second of Pool A in the semis where the winners qualify to the final and the losers play for the bronze medal. The preliminary rounds for the All Africa Games will be played in two groups constituted as follows:

Pool A: 1. Congo Brazzaville 2. Mozambique 3. Egypt 4. Gambia 5. Nigeria 6. Botswana

Pool B: 1. Cameroon 2. Cape Verde 3. Algeria 4. Rwanda 5. Seychelles 6. Ghana

Gambia is also through to the beach volleyball finals and wait for the drawing of lots for the groups.

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muhammed L saidykhan

Gambia Federation Gear Up For Two International Volleyball Championships

The Gambia National volleyball teams Men and Women teams are gearing up for a busy year in international competition.

The first international outing for GVBA will be the U-21 Zone II tournament which will be held in Dakar Senegal next weekend, the team will be traveling on Wednesday 13th August 2014 with thirty six member delegation.

The technical committee nominated four coaches to oversee the Under 21 Men and Women teams.

Alagie Babu Joof and Lamin Sanneh are responsible for the women, whiles Ebrima Nyassi and Pa Bubacarr Barrow will guide the men’s team.

Speaking ahead of the championship the Auditor of the Association Alagie Ceesay (Nature) shed light on the importance of the competition. “We are ready to expose our teams in the international championships, this is part of the plan to send our national teams whenever we are invited and we are hopeful that we will come out with an outstanding result,”

“The more we play international games, the more we will trade our players to bigger leagues and that will be an additional benefit to the country,” (Nature) said. The Auditor was quick to opine for more financial supports mainly from the central government and other institutions to support the team to successfully take part in this event.

“This tournament will act as a warm-up match before the African women championships to be held in Algeria from the September 5 to 15, 2014 for the categories of U18 and U23 Women and the winner will represent Africa in the corresponding 2015 World Championships.”

In another development, Gambia Volleyball Association organised a three day seminar for referees and coaches as well as another on beach volleyball.

“This training program will help the limited local coaches and referees to know more about the Game and FIVB is encouraging there affiliated federations to promote beach volleyball in their respective countries and today beach volleyball is a priority on FIVB developments,” Secretary General of the Association, Sainey Jarju said.

International referee Mr. Bai Dodou Jallow will conducted the training program and 20 participants were invited to take part in the training.

Gambia prepares for the continental champs

Among the participants 12 referees and 8 coaches from clubs that are affiliated with Gambia Volleyball Association. The training course finished on August 10th at the Olympafrica Centre Serekunda east.

GVBA is also staging a Nawetan beach volleyball tournament for the first time in the Gambia which will be played at the Sunwing Hotel beach side just near Pocoloco night club. It will kick start on Sunday 17th August 2014 for duration of three 3 weeks and Gamtel is sponsoring the tournament

Eight teams namely Gamtel/Gamcel, Brikama, Sere Kunda East, Jeshwang, GAF, Interior, GFRS and The Gambia Veterans volleyball club.

The Executive is also urging stakeholders and companies to come forward and support volleyball which they believe will go a long way in helping out this rather a dormant sport.