Niamey the capital of West African Beach Volleyball  Niamey, Niger, May 14, 2008- Niger Volleyball Federation FENIVOLLEY succeeded to increase the beach volleyball popularity at the western part of the continent after they organized the first international Beach volleyball tournament last month with the participation of the best teams in the western African countries. Five countries took part in the first ever big tournament in this African zone which are the organizers Niger, Benin, Togo, Mali, and Burkina Faso. The competition was attended by a big number of Niger political and sports authorities led by the Minister of Interior Mr. Albade Abouba and the Minister of Sports and youth Mr. Abdrahamane Seydou who send their greetings to the FENIVOLLEY member and their president Amada Sidiyane who did a lot of work for the success of this competition. Sans Souci team of Benin won the gold medal of the competition following their victory over Diables Rouges of Niger 2-0 (21-17, 21-13). The guests of honor attending the competition were satisfied with the success of this competition as the federation president Sidiyane declared the organization of the International woman competition later this year. This successful competition opened the door for more progress of the sport in the country and also in the surrounding countries in future after the big steps forwards done by the federation since 2004 when Niger started the first beach volleyball activity organizing a solidarity tournament under supervision of the World volleyball governing body the FIVB. Then Niger organized the first National beach volleyball tournament in Niamey 9in 2006 which showed the participation of more than 7 provinces of the country. “We are happy with the success of the first international tournament that made Niamey as the capital of beach volleyball in the western part of the continent,” Said FENIVOLLEY President Sidiyane. “We want to thank the FIVB led by our president Dr. Ruben Acosta and CAVB led by Dr. Amr Elwani for their continuous help that pushed us for more progress in the coming years.” He added. Photo caption The winners with the officials Part of the final match The beach volleyball court in Niamey The medal ceremony By Moussa Yahaya, Niger Volleyball Federation Press Officer