Semifinalists Confirmed At Women’s African Olympic Volleybal Qualifiers

2016 Women’s African Olympic Qualifier- Day 2

The 4 semifinalists were confirmed at the 2016 Women’s African Olympic Qualifier as Kenya, Cameroon (Pool A), Algeria and Egypt (Pool B) secured final 4 positions after day 2 of the tournament held Palais des Sports hall in Yaoundé, Cameroon on Saturday.

Kenya overcame Tunisia 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-23) in Pool A to drop their opponent to their second defeat and this helped Cameroon who were in rest to capture the second position with their tiebreak victory over Tunisia on Friday.

Both Egypt and Algeria went to their second win over winless Botswana and Uganda respectively. Egypt hammered Botswana 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-17), while Algeria nailed Uganda 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-12) as both team improved to 2-0 with 6 points, leaving Botswana and Uganda with 0-2.

The third and final day of the preliminary round will determine the ranling of the qualifying teams to determine the semifinal face offs as Kenya face Cameroon for the top of Pool A and Egypt play Algeria in a North African clash for Pool A top position.

Algeria double block,

Algeria v Uganda 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-12)

Algeria become the first team to book semifinal ticket at the Women’s African Olympic Qualifier after they took over Uganda 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-12) in Pool B match lasting 67 minutes.

Algeria improved their win- loss ratio to 2-0, while Uganda dropped to 0-2. Algeria still had 1 match in the preliminary round against Egypt to determine the pool leaders.

The Algerian coach played with most of his line up and started with the substitutes until he finished the match with the standing line up. Uganda started the match very competitive in the first set until they draw 22-22 and won the set hardly 25-22. The second and third sets showed complete Algerian dominance with the main players doing the role.

Outside hitter Kahina Arbouche led the match scorers with 13 points followed by Safia Boukhima 10. Saidat Nnungi led the Ugandans with 9 points.

Egypt v Botswana 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-17)

Egypt set second win against Botswana 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-17) to clinch the second ticket of Pool B to the semifinal of Olympic qualifier. Egypt improved their record to 2-0, while Botswana dropped to 0-2.

Botswana started the match in their best form and succeeded to lead several time until Egyptian coach changed some players to regain the rhythm and win the set narrowly 25-21 before Egypt controlled the match with their better defense and win the second and third sets.

Mariam Metwally led Egyptian scorers with 12 points, while Gasekgnwe led the losers with 7 points. The Egyptian team had advantage in blocking 11/1 and in serving 6/1 to control the victory.

CAVB Control Committee

Kenya v Tunisia 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)

Kenya led Pool A with 3-0 victory (25-20, 25-17, 25-23) against Tunisia in the match of the day. Kenya started their campaign with 1-0, while Tunisia dropped to 0-2.

Kenya led pool A with 3 points followed by Cameroon who were in rest day (2 points from 1-0) and Tunisia 3rd with 1 point from 0-2.

Suzuki Moim led the Kenyan scorers with 9 points, while Kaothar Gemail led the losers with 7 points.

Kenya dominated the first and second sets to win widely before Tunisia came back in the third set to overcome 10 point deficit and draw 22-22, but again Kenya used their experience to win the tough set 25-23.

Kenya’s Trizah Atika spiking

Cameroon’s Captain Nana Tchoudjang speaking after the tough victory against Tunisia
Highlights of Egypt v Uganda in Pool B of Women African Qualifier
Cameroon players celebrating the victory over Tunisia in Pool A of Women’s African Olympic Qualifier
The opening ceremony of the 2016 Women’s African Olympic Qualification tournament
Cameroon players dancing with their supporters after the win against Tunisia
African traditional dance during the opening ceremony
Highlights of the match Algeria v Uganda at Women’s Olympic Qualifier
Algeria’s Captain Safia Boukhima speaking after the second win against Uganda

Best performances

Top Scoring Performances
20 – Moma Bassoko of Cameroon v Tunisia (February 12)
18 – Safia Boukhima of Algeria v Botswana (February 12)
14 – Simone Bikatal of Cameroon v Tunisia (February 12)
13 – Kahina Arbouche of Algeria v Uganda (February 13)
12 – Aya El Shami of Egypt v Uganda (February 12)
11 – Yamine Abdelrrahim of Algeria v Botswana (February 12)
11 – Rahma Agrrebi of Tunisia v Cameroon (February 12)

Top Blocking Performances
6 – Stephanie Fotso of Cameroon v Tunisia (February 12)
4 – Theorine Aboa of Cameroon v Tunisia (February 12)
4 – Farida El Askalany of Egypt v Botswana (February 13)
3 – Farida El Askalany of Egypt v Uganda (February 12)
3 – Belinda Jepkirui of Uganda v Algeria (February 13)
3 – Aicha Mezmate of Algeria v Uganda (February 13)
3 – Trizah Atika of Kenya v Tunisia (February 13)

Botswana blocking

Top Blocking Performances by Team
19 – Cameroon v Tunisia (February 12)
11 – Egypt v Botswana (February 13)
9 – Egypt v Uganda (February 12)
8 – Uganda v Algeria (February 13)

Top Serving Performances
3 – Nahla Abdelfattah of Egypt v Uganda (February 12)
2 – Laetitia Moma of Cameroon v Tunisia (February 12)
2 – Safia Boukhima of Algeria v Botswana (February 12)

Top Serving Performances by Team
6 – Egypt v Botswana (February 13)
4 – Cameroon v Tunisia (February 12)
4 – Cameroon v Tunisia (February 12)
4 – Algeria v Uganda (February 13)
3 – Egypt v Uganda (February 12)
3 – Algeria v Botswana (February 12)

Highest Scorer by Round
Day 1: 20 – Moma Bassoko of Cameroon v Tunisia (February 12)
Day 2: 13 – Kahina Arbouche of Algeria v Uganda (February 13)

Cameroon celebrating

Highest Set Score
Day 1: Tunisia v Cameroon, 31-29, 3rd set (February 12)
Day 2: Kenya v Tunisia 25-23, 3rd set (February 13)

Highest Scoring Matches
Day 1: Cameroon v Tunisia 3-2 (25-20, 25-20, 29-31, 21-25, 15-6) – 217 points (February 12)
Day 2: Kenya v Tunisia (25-20, 25-17, 25-23) – 135 points (February 13)

CAVB web site: http://www.cavb.org
Twitter: CAVB Tweets
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAVBVolleyball
YouTube: CAVB Video
Instagram: CAVB_ volleyball

CAVB Volleyball Information System Course Holds In Morocco

African Volleyball Confederation “CAVB” organised a successful Volleyball Information System “VIS” course in Rabat, Morocco August 2 to 7, 2015 in the framework of its Development strategy.

The course attracted 13 participants from different Morocco provinces as they showed a great performance and understanding of the course and was instructed by CAVB instructor Mr Mohamed Lasmi.

The participants used the organisation of the Arab Youth Nations Championship as a practical training for the course. The competition is being orgainised in Rabat August 4 to 15.

CAVB web site: http://www.cavb.org
Twitter: CAVB Tweets
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAVBVolleyball
YouTube: CAVB Video
Instagram: CAVB_ volleyball

Nora, Moroccan Star Who Dropped Horse Racing, Gymnastics And Athletics For Volleyball

She stands at a paltry 169cm high but the height debate, considered the biggest asset in modern volleyball is not a deterrent to the Moroccan libero, Darrhar Nora – one of the upcoming best African liberos who dropped Horse Racing, Athletics and Gymnastics for Volleyball.

Just like most African Volleyballers, Nora was introduced late into the sports but in just under six years, the future star has already earned her first senior national team call up.

“I played my first Volleyball in Jeans pant and leather shoe,” Nora who will be turning 23 on August 21 remembers her journey into the court which begun less than 10 years ago.

“I started Volleyball very late and I never thought that one day I will ever play for the national team,” Sara, told CAVB.ORG after helping Morocco finish sixth above Mauritius and Botswana at the eight nations Africa Nations Championship in Nairobi.

While growing up in Rabat, Morocco, Nora never wanted anything, but to follow in the footsteps of her father, Ahmed Darrhar, a 56 years old professional Horse rider who despite his advanced age, still managed to bag a Silver medal this year at the national professional Horse Racing championship in Morocco. “Am his biggest fan,” Nora now a Volleyball queen reminds me of her close relationship with her father.

Sara who will be graduating with a Masters Degree in Business Administration from St. Andrews University in north Carolina-USA in May, 2016 dropped her first love horse racing then Gymnastics and Athletics to fully take up Volleyball after she was introduced to the sport by her Physical Education teacher seven years ago.

“I used to take part in a lot of sports and one day while going for my Gymnastics lessons, my PE teacher told me ‘I want you in Volleyball’. I dodged her for two months.

She had never thought that one day she will represent her country in Volleyball but that, as fate would have it was the exactly what happened when she was named by Samir Dcahr in their first continental competition after a nine year truancy at the African Nations Championship.

Moroccan libero Darrhar Nora

The multi-talented Volleyball Star who also partners her best friend, Alexandra Arhart in beach Volleyball also tried her hands on Sprint, Long Jump and a Pole-Vault in addition to Gymnastics.

“I have a Bronze medal in Horse Racing back home,” she remembers with abroad smile of her childhood sport.

“Gymnastics is a fast sports and it helped me adapt to my current position even after I was told by one of the coaches that I will never be a good player,” she emotionally narrates her ordeals in the hands of one of the coaches in her early years in the game.

“I was really terrible in defence and I had one coach who told me ‘there is no point of teaching you how to pass (Nora) because you’re terrible at it and you’ll never be good at it anyway’. that was very bad especially coming from someone you look up to.”

While she was happy with the general performance of her team, the player who will be taking part in the Beach Volleyball around the World with her partner and best friend Alexandra added. “that was my first senior year so it’s the hardest in terms of class considering that I had to create time for my classes which I had to take during the tournament in Kenya,”

While she’s happy on the court, off court, the youngster who would want to continue playing Volleyball after her University education is grappling with the idea of finding balance between work and playing.

“I learned that I have only one year left (In USA) and because there is no National league over there, I’ll have to find a solution to be able to play, maybe for two more years at my university then move to France but I would really want to stay and work in the US. It’s not easy making that decision,” added the players who would want to practice sports Management in the US after graduating.

Elvince Joshua

CAVB web site: http://www.cavb.org
Twitter: CAVB Tweets
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAVBVolleyball
YouTube: CAVB Video
Instagram: CAVB_ volleyball

Ahly Battle Past Pipeline To Retain Women’s African Volleyball Club Champs Title

2015 Women’s African Club Championship-Final

Silver medallists Pipeline

Egypt’s Ahly took over Kenya Pipeline 3-1(25-16, 23-25, 25-20, 28-26) to retain the 2015 Women’s African Club Championship following a thrilling final at 6 October Hall in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday in front of 2000 spectators.

The victory if the seventh for Ahly after 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2007 and 2009 to equalise the number of Crowns for Pipeline who have also seven titles under their name and also the fourth in the direct face off between the two African giants in 7 final matches between both sides.

Carthage of Tunisia topped Shams (Egypt) 3-2 (25-17, 31-29, 20-25, 17-25, 16-14) in the third place match to bag bronze.

After the final match FIVB Executive Vice President and CAVB President Dr Amr Elwani accompanied by the representative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Dr Moustafa Azzam and Egyptian Volleyball Federation President Foad Abdel Salam crowned Ahly with the cup and gold medals, Pipeline with the solver and Tunisia’s Carthage with the bronze.

Ahly’s Sherihan receiving the Trophy

Final
Ahly (Egypt) v Pipeline (Kenya) 3-1(25-16, 23-25, 25-20, 28-26)

Ahly’s middle blocker Mariam Metwally led her team to overcome Kenya Pipeline 3-1(25-16, 23-25, 25-20, 28-26) in the final match lasting 111 minutes. The 17y old who eventually was nominated the MVP and bst blocker led her team efficiently to claim the prestigious title. She scored 23 points to come as match best scorer including 9 Ace services and 4 kill blocks. Monica Biana was Pipeline scorer contibuting 14 points for her side.

Ahly started the match using the quick attacks through the efficient center Mariam Metwally beside using the service as a weapon to lead 6-2 in the first TTO. Pipeline started to recover as the setter Janet Wanja started to use her proper combinations to decrease the point deficit, but Ahly was in a good standard to stay ahead 16-9 at the second TTO. Ahly maintained their dominance through the sharp hits from the opposite Yunieska and the outside hitter Nahla Sameh to win the set 25-16.

Pipeline improved their reception in the second set and used the fast attacks through Ruth Jepngetich and Tizah Atuka. Ahly’s Yuniesaka spiked to lead her team to 8-5 at first TTO. Pipeline setter Wanja again led the combinations to come back to gradually till they led for the first time at any TTO 16-15. The motivated Kenyans continued to win the set 25-23 after a great struggle in the final points of the set.

Ahly again rebounded through the wing spiker with Sherihan Sameh doing a great role from position 4 to control the match. The opposite Yuniesaka sent her razor sharp hits from position 2 aided by Nahla Sameh to win the set 25-10 and lead 2-1.

The fourth set was the most exciting as the Kenyans maintained their solid block through Ruth Jepngetich and trizah Atuka to have an early lead. Ahly came back quickly by the second technical time out to tighten the score which went point by point till Ahly won the set 28-26 and the match 3-1.

Bronze medallists Carthage

Bronze medal
Carthage (Tunisia) v Shams (Egypt) 3-2 (25-17, 31-29, 20-25, 17-25, 16-14)

Carthage won the bronze medal after they flew past Shams Egypt in epic tiebreaker 3-2 (25-17, 31-29, 20-25, 17-25, 16-14) to improve their 4th position finish last year.

Opposite attacker Mariem Brik led Carthage scorers with 16 points followed by middle blocker Abir Othmani and Khloud Jenhani 13. Sham’s opposite Aya Elshami led the match scorers with 19 points followed by outside hitter Farah Ahmed 17 points. Carthage dominated the blocking (12-9), while Shams were better in service (9-5 Aces)

Carthage started the match highly disciplined and used their service to disturb Shams reception and succeeded to lead 8-3 at the first TTO with spikes from Fatma Agrebi. Carthage controlled the match with their motivations to extend their leading 16-6 at the second TTO. The Tunisian team motivations increased even when Shams big gun Aya Elshami started to send her sharp spikes and decreased the point deficit to 22-15 to finish the set 25-17.

The second set showed a completely different start as Shams used the wing spikers Farah Ahmed and Aya Elshami to penetrate the Tunisian solid blockers to lead 8-5 and 16-11 in the TTOs. Carthage had a successful come back to reach 23-20. Shams reached to 24-21 and lost 7 set points before the Tunisian team used their service to end the longest set 31-29.

CAVB President and officials in the VIP tribune

Shams coach Ehab Hassan replaced his setter Doaa Orfy by Mariam Ebrahim as she started to use her combinations to allow her team to lead 8-2. Carthage improved their blocking through Abir Othmani and Marwa Brahoumi to 16-11 in the second TTO. Afrer Shams reached 18-11 Carthage made a great come back to 18-17 before Nada Hossam and Aya Elshami led the team to win the set 25-20 to narrow the score to 2-1 for Carthage.

Again shams had a great leap 8-2 at the beginning of the 4th set due to the sharp spikes from Farah Ahmed and Nada and continued leading 16-6 with the sharp spike services. Carthage again came back with the activity of Fatma Agrebi and Mariem Brik to 16-9 before Shams used Nada’s services to lead 20-13. Carthage struggled to save the set, but with service mistake from Marwa Brahoumi, Shams won the set 25-17 to draw 2-2 and extend the match to tiebreak.

The tiebreak was very tight as Shams early led with the performance of Elshami and Nada till they turned the court at 8-7 for Shams. Fatma led Carthage with her spikes to lead frequent times till they won the set narrowly 16-14.

The Best players

Individual Prizes
· Best Spiker: Ruth Jepngetich (Pipeline)
· Best Server: Marwa Brahoumi (Carthage)
· Best Blocker: Maraim Metwally (Ahly)
· Best Receiver: Nehal Gamal (Shams)
· Best Setter: Janet Wanja (Kenya)
· Best Libero: Maraim Moustafa (Ahly)
· MVP: Maraim Metwally (Ahly)

The officials during the closing ceremony

Final Ranking
1. Ahly (Egypt)
2. Pipeline (Kenya)
3. Carthage (Tunisia)
4. Shams (Egypt)
5. GSP (Algeria)
6. FAP (Cameroon)
7. Vision (Uganda)
8. FAP (Cameroon)
9. ARSU (Seychelles)
10. Injis (Cameroon)
11. KCB (Kenya)
12. Kutlwano (Botswana)
13. Saltigue (Senegal

CAVB web site: http://www.cavb.org
Twitter: CAVB Tweets
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAVBVolleyball
YouTube: CAVB Video
Instagram: CAVB_ volleyball

Uganda’s Vision Write History At Women’s African Volleyball Club Championship Standings

2015 Women’s African Club Championship- Standings 5 to 12

Tunisian Referee Rym Chebil in action

The standings from 5 to 12 were settled at the 2015 Women’s African Club Championship after the ranking matches held on Saturday at 6 October Hall in Cairo, Egypt with defending champions Algeria’s GSP going back 4 positions to finish at the fifth position after they beat Revenue Authority of Rwanda 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-6, 25-22).

Kenya Pipeline face Egypt’s giants Ahly in the final of the competition on Sunday at 20:00 local time preceded by the bronze medal match between Tunisia’s Carthage and Egypt’s Shams at 18:00.

Vision (Uganda) emerged with the best finish for their country in the prestigious event as they cruised past FAP (Cameroon) 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 26-24) to finish seventh.

ARSU of Seychelles overcame Injis of Cameroon 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-22) in the 9th and 10th positions, while KCB of Kenya trounced Kutlwano of Botswana 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-20) in the 11th and 12th places. Saltigue of Senegal already finished their matches earlier at the 13th and last position.

The matches were transmitted live on Egyptian TV

5th and 6th positions
GSP (Algeria) v RRA (Rwanda) 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-6, 25-22)

GSP Algeria rebounded from a set behind to overwhelm RRA Rwanda 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-6, 25-22) in the 5th and 6th positions in 101 minutes.

The Rwandan team surprised the Algerians with disciplined line up and showed good attacking power to win the first set 25-29 before the Algerian team returned back to their strategy through the outside hitters to win three consecutive sets. Outside hitter Zohra Bensalem led the Algerian scorers with 16 points, while the Rwandan Serphine Mukantambara led her team scorers with the same number of points.

ARSU in defensive action

7th and 8th positions
Vision (Uganda) v FAP (Cameroon) 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 26-24)

Uganda’s Vision fought for 122 minutes to win FAP of Cameroon 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 26-24) in the 7th and 8th positions. This is the best finish for Ugandan team in the competition history as they finished 7th, which is better than the previous best finish at the 8th position for Ndeji University in the 2013 edition. FAP was ranked 8th.

Zaina Kagoya led the Ugandan scorers with 18 points followed by peace Busingye 16 points. FAP’s outside hitter Jaquline Ntozi contributed 21 points as the match best scorer.

KCB blocking

9th and 10th positions
ARSU (Seychelles) v Injis (Cameroon) 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-22)

ARSU Seychelles ended their championship’s campaign in the best way after they surprised the more experienced Injis of Cameroon 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-22) in the 9th and 10th positions. ARSU finished 9th in their competition’s input, while Injis came in the 10th position.

As usual the strong outside hitter Marielle Bonne led Seychelles’ scorers with 16 points followed by Gerina Bonne 13. Honorine Djakao led Injis’ scorers with 8 points.

11th and 12th positions
KCB (Kenya) v Kutlwano (Botswana) 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-20)

KCB of Kenya played their best in the competition to take over Kutlwano of Botswana 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-20) in the 11 and 12 positions in a match lasting 74 minutes. KCB end the competition in the 11th position which is their worst finish in the competition, while Kutlwano finished at the 12th.

Naomi Too led KCB scorers with 15 points followed by Edinah Rotich 12 points, while Karabo Molefha led the loser’s scorers with 9 points.

Vision celebrating the best ever finish for a Ugandan team

Final and Bronze Medal on Sunday April 5, 2015

Bronze Medal Match: 18:00 Carthage (Tunisia) v Shams (Egypt)

Final: 20:00 Ahly (Egypt) v Pipeline (Kenya)

Final Ranking
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. GSP (Algeria)
6. FAP (Cameroon)
7. Vision (Uganda)
8. FAP (Cameroon)
9. ARSU (Seychelles)
10. Injis (Cameroon)
11. KCB (Kenya)
12. Kutlwano (Botswana)
13. Saltigue (Senegal)

FIVB Opens Licensing Process For Players’ Agents

The FIVB announces that it has opened the process of agent licensing in accordance with the recently enacted FIVB Agent Regulations. The FIVB will deliver licenses to qualified candidates as of April 1, 2015 and encourages all players’ agents to apply for a license.

The FIVB Agent Regulations provide a fair, harmonized and transparent system for licensed agents and aim to ensure a sufficient level of protection for athletes and coaches using the services of agents. The Regulations form an integral part of the International Volleyball Federation’s legal framework. They apply to international transfers and to the contractual relations of athletes and coaches when they agree to perform their services outside the territory of their federation of origin.

FIVB Senior Beach Volleyball World Championships, credit FIVB

Individuals wishing to become licensed agents should refer to the regulations for information about the application process.

Eligible applicants will be invited to an exam, which will test their knowledge of the relevant FIVB regulations including the FIVB Sports Regulations, the FIVB Medical and Anti-Doping Regulations and the FIVB Agent Regulations.

For more information, please contact the FIVB at: agents@fivb.org

Egypt Gear Up To Host Men’s U23 African Volleyball Nations Championship

Egypt are ready to host the first ever edition of the Men’s U23 African Nations Championship due to start in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt November 4 to 14, 2014.

The competition which acts also as a qualifier for the 2015 FIVB World Championship of this age category will feature 7 countries competing for the 2 African slots in the prestigious finals.

Agrebi (C) from Tunisia attacking against Egypt

Hosts Egypt will be joined by Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Rwanda and Botswana in the 10 day championship to be hosted in the best touristic city by the Red Sea.

The host team had a couple of weeks preparing for the competition where they played friendly matches against Libya as well as the senior Egyptian team.

The Libyan were the first team to arrive Egypt where they have set up a preparation camp for the competition, playing some friendly matches.

CAVB web site: http://www.cavb.org
Twitter: CAVB Tweets
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAVBVolleyball
YouTube: CAVB Video
Instagram: CAVB_ volleyball

Mauritius Host Volleyball Zone 7 African Dream Project Clinic

Mauritius hosted Zone 7 clinic for the African Dream Project at Gold Crest Hotel in Quatre Bornes, Mauritius on 28 and 29 September 2014.

The clinic was attended by representatives of Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar National federations including the presidents of Mauritius and Seychelles NFs. The clinic was led by FIVB Instructor Coaching – Mr Bernard Denis from Seychelles.

Mauritius VolleyBall Federation president

The presence of high ranking officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Education, The Mauritius National Olympic Committee and the Mauritius Sports Council clearly demonstrates the commitment to lead successfully this development programme. In addition to the setting up per NF, the participants will recommend to CAVB that there is a” Zone 7 Youth Exchange” between the centres of any two countries at a time; whereby this will enhance not only the sports development of the child but also the general knowledge and the social aspect of the youth.

The project which is supported by FIVB President Dr Ary Graca is considered one of the most important Development plans in Africa in the last few years.

The Programme aims at having a common project for all African countries, mainly focusing on volleyball at school. All relevant stakeholders must be involved which are Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sport, Ministry of Youth, and National Olympic Committee.

The project will see the setting up of centers that will be used to develop identified athletes at young age and arranging all the keys for their involvement later on to their corresponding Youth national teams.

some participants at the Volleyball Zone 7 clinic for the African Dream Project

CAVB web site: http://www.cavb.org
Twitter: CAVB Tweets
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAVBVolleyball
YouTube: CAVB Video
Instagram: CAVB_ volleyball

VCP Coaching Course Concludes In Benin Republic

participants with officials

A VCP course was successfully organised in Benin August 9 to 13 in attendance of 29 participants from 4 nationalities.

The course was instructed by Mbaye Deme from Senegal in presence of 9 females. The countries represented were host Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire.

Twenty participants passed the course after a great enthusiasm from all the course attendance.

participants highly excited

“We are very thankful to FIVB and CAVB for their great support to bring this course to full success,” Mbaye Deme said.

“We hope that all the participating coaches can use the benefits of what they learn here in their respective countries.”

CAVB web site: http://www.cavb.org

Twitter: CAVB Tweets

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAVBVolleyball

YouTube: CAVB Video

Instagram: CAVB_ volleyball

participants in class for the-theoritical part

Kenya And Algeria Lose In Volleyball World Grand Prix

Kenya lost to Bulgaria in the FIVB Grand Prix for the second time in a week, a result that severely dented the African champions chances of making it to the tournament play-offs.

The African Queens were humbled 3-1 by the European powerhouse, with set points of 21-25, 25-8, 25-20 and 25-11 in this contest that lasted close to 70 minutes.

This result saw Kenya drop to fifth in the overall standings in Pool S, having been overtaken by Kazakhstan, who overwhelmed the other African team in the competition – Algeria – 25-8, 25-9 and 25-7 in another contest staged in Brno, the Czech Republic.

Kenya who have amassed a total seven points in five games, must now beat Australia in both teams final game on Sunday and hope that Kazakhstan – who have two more points – lose to hosts Czech Republic in the pool’s other match to stand a chance of sneaking through to the play-offs on the last day of competition.

Czech Republic lead the overall standings, followed by Bulgaria while Croatia sit in third.

Kazakhstan are fourth, Kenya lie in fifth, while Mexico, Australia and Algeria occupy the remaining bottom positions in the pool in that order.

Only the top four teams are guaranteed passage to the lucrative play-off phase, where lucrative cash prizes accumulating to about Sh. 85 million lie in wait for the teams.

Kenya who were eager to make up for the 3-2 loss suffered to Bulgaria in Mexico City last week, made the best possible start to the match, and were buoyed by strong support from the home crowd at the Zatika Hall in Porec.

Bulgaria’s Kremena Kamenova spikes the ball past two Kenyan blockers

Captain Brackides Agala and Mercy Moim helped Kenya snatch the opening point of the match, a crucial leverage that led to the Queens claiming the opening set.

Bulgaria then took over, and dominated in the proceeding three sets in a way like no other. At one point in the game, the European side led the second set 8-0 by the call of the first technical time out, then 13-0 and 16-2.

“I have noticed signs of fatigue within the squad. I hope we conjure up some energy from somewhere and win our final game tomorrow. Otherwise credit to the girls for working so hard today and matching a big time in some moments” Kenya coach David Lung’aho said after the match.

“We struggled in reception and the side-out today, you could see we were up against an established team.” team libero Elizabeth Wanyama added.

Kenya – who are debutants in this tourney – then seemed to give up in what turned out to be the deciding set despite leading for long spells until the 20-point mark.

By David Kwalimwa, Kenya press

Africa Queens Land In Mexico For FIVB World Grand Prix

The national women volleyball team arrived in Mexico City Tuesday evening after a 27-hour journey from Nairobi.

The team is one of the two African representatives – alongside Algeria – for the opening leg of the 2014 FIVB Grand Prix at the Olympic Hall starting on Friday.

The contingent departed Nairobi on Monday at 7pm for an eight hour flight to Amsterdam, from where the team was forced to wait for another eight hours for a connecting flight to the Central American nation.

Thereafter, the squad boarded another flight at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam at 2pm for a 12-hour journey that saw them arrive in Mexico City on Tuesday at 6pm (Wednesday 2am – Kenyan time), before going through another grueling one-hour checking out process.

“The journey was okay but very tiresome, thankfully we have some adequate time to recover and even prepare for the opening match against Mexico,” Kenya coach David Lung’aho told Nation Sport.

Kenya is pooled alongside hosts Mexico, Algeria, Bulgaria and Kazakhstan in the five-day tournament. All the participating teams have already arrived in Mexico for the event.

Kenya team with the 2013 African Nations VOLLEYBALL Cup

“This is our World Cup, and so we are here to do Kenya and the entire continent proud,” team captain Blackcides Agala said.

While on transit, the reigning African champions displayed commendable unity and team spirit cracking jokes and bonding in a way that probably highlights their successful returns on the continent.

The team had successful training sessions in Mexico to prepare for the tournament opening against host Mexico.

CAVB web site: http://www.cavb.org

Twitter: CAVB Tweets

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAVBVolleyball

YouTube: CAVB Video

Instagram: CAVB_ volleyball

By David Kwalimwa

Algeria to host 2014 Girls U18 African Nations Volleyball Championship

African Volleyball confederation “CAVB” honoured Algeria to host the 2014 Girls’ Youth (U18) African Nations championship September 5 to 15, 2014.

The competition acts as a qualifier for the 2015 FIVB Girls U18 World Championship.

Players who are Eligible to participate in this competition are those who were born on 1st of January 1998 or after.

Egypt are the defending champions of this competition as they won the last edition in 2013 in Cairo defeating Tunisia in the final.

CAVB web site: http://www.cavb.org
Twitter: CAVB Tweets
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAVBVolleyball
YouTube: CAVB Video
Instagram: CAVB_ volleyball

Egypt receiving the 2014 Girls U18 CAVB African Nations Volleyball Championship trophy