Volleyball tourney moved from �unstable� Zim
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday November 24, 2017 12:58
Zone VI committee, in a statement, said the venue shift was necessitated by the current political situation in that country. “Due to the situation in Zimbabwe, the executive committee of the region, based on the consultations made with all national federations (with exception of Angola), who did not participate in a meeting via WhatsApp last Saturday, November 18, decided to move the competition from Bulawayo to Lilongwe.”
Zone VI vice president, Daniel Molaodi told Mmegi Sport yesterday that they decided to change the venue of the competition due to the political situation unfolding in Zimbabwe.
“We were not sure when the situation would end or how it would be solved. Time was not on our side and we had to make a decision so that clubs will not be affected. We did not want to postpone the championship. It had to go ahead,” he said.
Molaodi said the majority of volleyball clubs are from the disciplined forces such as the army, police and prisons as such they could not travel to Zimbabwe under such circumstances of political instability. He said that could have meant if the championship proceeded in Zimbabwe, only a few clubs would have competed.
He is aware that Malawi is far and that Zimbabwe presented an advantage to clubs, particularly those from Botswana. He said he was also aware of complaints raised by clubs from countries in the southern region in terms of travelling to Malawi.
“Botswana had offered to host but the tournament was going to be postponed for a week, but Malawi is going to host it at the date that was set being December 7-17,” he said. Molaodi said countries have also raised the issue of non-participation by Malawi in Zone VI Championship. He said he tried to raise the issue with his colleagues, but they did not see matters his way.
One of the clubs due to play at Zone VI, Kutlwano women’s team is against the decision. The club’s coach, Dopp Popo said the decision was not thoroughly thought out.
“The decision by the Zone VI committee is a joke. We have prepared for Zimbabwe and we are not ready to travel to Malawi. That country never participates in this country. How can they just come in and be allowed to host,” queried Popo.
He said the region should have looked at other possibilities especially now that the Zimbabwean situation has stabilised. He said another country could have been put on stand-by when the political instability ensued.
Meanwhile, the JB Sport tournament finals for both men and women will take place in Molepolole on Saturday. The men’s final pits Police VI against Diphatsa while the battle for bragging rights continues between Kutlwano and Mafolofolo on the women’s side. “There is no need to say anything to the players. During training they give out their best because they know what it means to face Mafolofolo. However, the challenge is to erase the memory of losing to the side the last time we met,” Popo said.
Popo said he is not worried about a loss because he is building for the future. He said the supporters might complain because they want quick results but that is a different perspective to that of the Kutlwano technical team.
“We are coming in with some players nursing painful muscles from the weekend where we had a congested schedule. But we are ready for tomorrow,” he said.
Mafolofolo coach, Kabo Ntshinogang said his side is ready. He said tomorrow is a different ball game altogether after their recent meeting with their traditional rivals.