Mozambique ready to host the first ever Beach competition at All Africa Games

Overview for Costa do Sol Arena

11 September 2011

Maputo, Mozambique, September 10, 2011- Sunday September 11 will be a historic date for the African volleyball when Costa Do Sol Arena in Mozambique capital Maputo receives the first ever Beach Volleyball competition at the tenth All Africa Games.
The past nine editions of the All Africa Games featured only indoor volleyball competitions, but after the big start of the real Beach Volleyball activity in Africa during the current FIVB Continental Cup which is a qualifier for the 2012 London Olympic Games, the Organizing Committee of the 2011 All Africa Games (COJA) decided to add Beach Volleyball to the Games program for the first time.
The Control Committee of the African Volleyball Confederation led by CAVB President Dr Amr Elwani went for an inspection visit at the venue after the installations of the center court where they ensured that every thing in place to host the big event that shows 15 teams in each gender participating in the tournament.

The competition will be held in a country vs country double elimination format with most of the traditional forces of the continent attending.
Mauritius pairing of Natasha Rigobert /Elodie Li comes as big contenders for the gold medal with their wide experience through their participations at the FIVB World Tours. Mozambique pairing of Guilhermina Cossa /Satira Chongo is also favorites after their country won the gold medal at the zonal phase held in Maputo last July. The veteran Kenyan pair Dorcas Ndasaba /Margaret is also favorite following their victory at the Zonal Beach tournament in Mombasa last month.
In the men category the Kenyan pair Patrick Owino/ Sila Makiso are the biggest contender with their gold medal at the Continental Cup zonal phase.
Among other countries Algeria is coming with both men and women as Badreddine Boutefnochet/Rachid Benhellel men and Meriem Bouchetta /Sonia Berkiouine women arrived to participate.