Africa not only has beaches, but also potential in beach volleyball
While pool play phase is coming to an end at the FIVB World Championships in Vienna (Austria), it is an interesting sidelook to to see how athletes from some exotic beach volleyball countries, especially Africa, have performed so far.
Athletes from Mozambique, Kenia, Sierra Leone, Iran, Colombia, Ruanda and Trinidad & Tobago are the first ones from their respective countries to participate in a Beach Volleyball World Championship. For most of them simply the fact of participating and playing against the world’s best teams is a great experience. When having a look at the results though, especially most African teams cannot yet compete with the world’s elite. Abubakarr Kamara and Patrick Lombie from Sierra Leone were defeated by European Champions Nicolai/Lupo (Italy) in 24 minutes with 7:21 and 8:21. Same result for Gaudencia Makokha and Naomie Too (Kenia) against the Brazialian team Agatha/Duda in the women’s competition. Manhuica/Muianga, a 17- and 21-year old from Mozambique, didn’t see any chance against Barabara/Fernanda (Brazil), losing 4:21, 6:21.
Vanessa MUIANGA and Liocadia MANHICA from Mozambique
Nevertheless pretty much all of them enjoy the experience. Alvedino Nguvo (Mozambique) after his defeat with Justino Tovela against current Olympic gold medal winners Alison/Bruno from Brazil: “I saw many of their vidoes on YouTube. They are my idols. And they are very kind and we could talk to them before the match started”.
Participating in this kind of events help African teams to gain experience and establish the sport in their countries. And beach volleyball is even easier to bring forward than volleyball because less players and material is required. So far most African countries do not provide any financial support for their athletes.
That’s interesting that the African teams haven’t been able to compete with some of the other great teams around the world. Why do you think this is? Is volleyball a relatively new sport for the African teams? It’s awesome that they got to play with their idols!
Well I think it the same as with other sport as well, for example soccer. They just haven’t reached the same professional level as America and Europe for a bunch of reasons which might include access to funding, training facilities, professional coaching etc. Beach volleyball in Africa has still not yet reached high popularity in the respective countries.
Hi Juan. It’s amazing to see how popular volleyball is becoming all over the world. What a shame about the lack of funding though 🙁
Yeah true. It has become really poular, especially in Europe and America. And even there funding is still an issue as was demonstrated by Kerri Walsh Jennings opting out of the AVP.
I love the fact that African countries are getting more involved in Beach Volleyball! I think building great teams takes a ton of time and diversity in skills. As the sport picks up I’m certain we will see a much more competitive effort from the African teams.
Good luck to all of them in the future and hopefully this is inspiration for more athletes to get involved in these countries.
Absolutely. Developing competitive teams takes time, funds and professional infrastructure. These “exotic” teams will improve significantly as soon as these requirements are met.
Beach Volleyball is an amazing game and Africa is an amazing place. So, it’s good match.
Thanks, Joshua, we agree!