2010 FIVB Men’s and Women’s Volleyball World Championships:

Africa Pool A

Five nations compete for two slots towards the third round Lagos, Nigeria, June 2, 2009- Five Women’s volleyball team will start the competition on Wednesday to qualify to the third round of the 2010 Women’s World Championship when they start Africa Pool A tournament held at Sir Omolade Okoya Thomas Hall in Lagos Nigeria. The competition that show the participation of Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, Botswana and RD Congo will give two births to the champions of the tournament and the runner up to qualify to more advanced stage as they will qualify to the third round pool C with Kenya and Tunisia. Cameroon is considered the biggest contenders for the title specially because they are a usual qualifiers to the final stages of all the African competitions. The best result for Cameroon in the last few years was the silver Medal in the 2007 All Africa Games in Algeria. The Cameroon clubs are also regular participants in the African competitions. Most of the team players come from the local clubs Injis and Bafia Evolution that participated in the 2009 African Club and finished 4th and 5th respectively between 16 teams. The head coach Nane Eone Joseph selected his squad specially from the local clubs with only two players European based to use the potential of the local players. Nigeria was one of the African leaders in the women category when they won the gold medal of the 2003 All Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria, but their team retarded in the 2007 edition and didn’t participate in the last African Nations Championship. The host team comes as the second big force in this tournament led by their coach Harry Okpakriba. Botswana is one of the biggest African women forces as a regular participant in all the African competitions. Senegal that includes many promising players who were picked up by the European clubs like Niane Diuck is also a favorite for one of the two slots in the third round. RD Congo team wants to be a surprising team for all the participating teams as they want to go forwards after the achievements of their clubs at the continental level.

Nigeria ready to host the Second Round in June Lagos, Nigeria, March 25, 2009- The preparation for the 2010 Women’s World Championship second round tournament which is being hosted by the Lagos State government on behalf of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, got a boost with the opening the Game’s Secretariat at the TESLIM BALOGUN stadium Indoor Sports Hall and the final preparation of the court. Furthermore, the hotel accommodation for teams and officials has also been secured. Nigeria Volleyball Federation vice President Morakinyo Ebenezer mentioned that everything will be ready to host a successful competition in Nigeria including the preparation of the Nigerian team to compete for a final spot in Japan 2010. “The preparation of the Nigerian National team is going in tract with all the professionals abroad, and the National Federation with all the Authorities is ready to host a historic tournament.” Said Morakinyo. The competition will feature five teams competing for third round slots which are Botswana, Cameroun, RD Congo, Senegal and Nigeria and scheduled 3-7 June, 2009. The Hon. Commissioner for Sports in Lagos State – Hon. Ademola Adeniji-Adele- has assured the NVBF and volleyball lovers in Nigeria that the State would host the best volleyball championship ever. Photo caption Nigeria supporters will be ready to show their action during the 2010 World Championship tournament