Malawi Beach Volleyball Teams Head to Mozambique for CAVB Tour

Lilongwe, Malawi-The Malawi beach volleyball contingent left the country on Wednesday for Vilankulos, Mozambique, where they are expected to take part in Leg 8 of the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 6 Beach Volleyball Tour, writes Happy Valirani.

The tour will run from May 20 to May 30, 2023.

The Malawi Volleyball Association (VAM) has sent two teams, one for men and one for women, to compete against other Southern African countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eswathini and Lesotho. More than 20 teams are expected to participate in both categories.

VAM publicity secretary Mc Godwin Mangani said the teams are not going to Mozambique just to participate, but to compete and win medals.

"We are going not only to participate but to compete, fight, and win," Mangani said before the departure in Lilongwe.

He also said the tour will help the association prepare for hosting Leg 9 of the tour in August this year.

"The tour will help us as an association because in August we are the ones hosting the tour. So as we are hosting this tour in August, this tour will help us learn how our friends are hosting the tour. So as a member of the CAVB zone, it feels good that we are taking part in this tour," he added.

The players representing Malawi are Moses Mzumara and Kidman Prince Kachale for the men's team, and Zwelithini Lily Phiri, Emma Sakala and Judith Phiri for the women's team.

The coach is Isaiah Kumwenda and Mangani is the leader of the delegation. Charles Kapenga is the driver.

Mangani said the players were selected based on their performance in the national beach volleyball league and tournaments.

He added, "The tour will benefit Malawi as we will host leg 9 in August. It helps us learn from others."

Malawi will field two teams in the men's and women's categories, including Moses Mzumara, Kidman Prince Kachale, Zwelithini Lily Phiri, Emma Sakala, and Judith Phiri.

Isaiah Kumwenda serves as the coach, with McGodwin Mangani leading the delegation and Charles Kapenga as the driver. Player selection was based on the rankings of the National Beach Tour, held in Salima in October 2022.

The beach tour takes place in lakeshore areas, featuring games played on sand. The team is expected to return by May 24, 2023.

The Confederation of Volleyball (CAVB) is the governing body for volleyball in Africa, categorizing teams into zones. Malawi falls under Zone 6 in Africa.