Tava names team for Under-21 world meet

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has unveiled a two-member team for the 2019 Under-21 World Beach Volleyball Championship roaring into life on June 18 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Tanzania is among six African countries expected to compete in the week-long event, according to Tanzania Amateur Volleyball Association (Tava). Also on the list are Mozambique, Algeria, Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco. Organised by the world volleyball governing body ((FIVB)), the championship will also feature teams from Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania and South America.

Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, the Tava chairman, Patrick Mlowezi, named the players making up the national team as Janeth Akiri and Kuruthum Jumanne.

Mlowezi said the duo earned calls for national duty following their impressive performance in the recently ended Africa Beach Volleyball Championships in Cairo, Egypt.

He said that the players will start off camp training next week in Dar es Salaam under the tutelage of coach, Shukuru Ali.

Despite the fact that Tanzania will be competing in the world event for the first time, Mlowezi is optimistic that the duo will shine in Bangkok.

“Akiri and Jumanne have all it takes to excel internationally as those who saw them in action during this year’s Africa championship in Egypt can attest,” he said. He said fielding teams in major international championships was one of the best ways to promote beach volleyball in the country.

This is the second time that Thailand is hosting an age-group event.

In 2003, it hosted the Under-19 World Championship.

Thirty-two teams from around the world will compete in this year’s Under-21 championship.

Historically, many of star volleyball players acquire the much needed exposure and hit the limelight during the FIVA age category competitions.

Brazil’s Bruno Schmidt, for instance, won gold at the Rio Olympic Games 10 years on from winning gold in the World Under-21 event.