The Black Energy National Beach Volleyball championship took off with a bang at the Mbalamwezi Beach Hotel in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, with Faraham team from Zanzibar in pole position to get through into group stage.
Faraham, playing in group ‘A’ won their two opening matches, beating Prison’s Khalid 2-0 and recorded the margin against Wanjara of Tanga to lead the group.
Other men’s teams that started the tournament well are Shukuru, who beat John 2-0, Said defeated Sunday 2-0 in the group C, Mshangama and Mohamed also won their group D matches by 2-0 sets each against Alex and Michael, while Elfuraha beat Abdul 2-1.
In the group ‘B’, Godfrey team beat Hilal 2-0, while David had to come from behind to beat Jorry by 2-1 sets in the thrilling match. In women category, Salma, Hawa and Helen teams won their respective opening matches 2-0 each over Neema, Mbuke and Zuhura.
About 21 men’s teams grouped into four and ten women’s teams in two groups are battling it out in the two days event organised by Tanzania Amateur Volleyball Association (TAVA).
The two aside tournament comes to an end today. TAVA Chairman Agoustino Agapa said that they will select four men’s and women’s teams that will enter camp to prepare for the Zone Five Championship scheduled to start from 15-19 February, this year, at the same venue.
The Zone Five Championship that serves as the zonal Summer Olympic Games qualifier for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next year will bring together seven countries.
They are Burundi, Djibout, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Rwanda and hosts Tanzania. Sponsor Energy drink Director Mushtaba Salehmwala said that his company will do everything to ensure that Tanzania qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time.
“We are happy to be given the honour to help the national team as we believe they can do wonders if they get maximum support,” he said.
By MBONILE BURTON, Tanzania Daily News