ACTUALITE |
23.09.2005
Volleyball : Why Cameroon Failed In Abuja
Lack of adequate training is to blame for the poor performance of the lionesses.
Curtains dropped at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria, last weekend. The event was the 15th edition of the female African Volleyball Cup competition. Organised by the African Volleyball Federation (CAVB), the competition brought together teams from eight countries on the continent. They are Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Botswana, Tunisia, Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire and host Nigeria. For ten days, volleyball lovers in Africa and the world watched young African female volleyball players show case their talents. In the last decade, the game of volleyball has grown from strength to strength and the number of countries that have been caught by the volleyball bug is on the increase by day.
Since 2003 in Nairobi, this year’s edition is the only one that has brought together more than six teams. The teams were divided into two pools; A and B. Cameroon played in pool A alongside host country Nigeria, Tunisia, and Botswana. The countries in group B were Kenya, Egypt, Morocco and Cote d’Ivoire. A total of 18 matches were programmed and time scheduled was highly respected. After close to two weeks of serious volleyball action, Kenya emerged overall winners after beating Nigeria 3-1 sets (19-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-17). Hosts, Nigeria who reached the final of the African Cup of Nations for the first time were second while the 2003 Cup holders, Egypt finished third. The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, bronze medallists at the 2003 edition in Nairobi, Kenya, finished fifth.
Cameroon’s performance at the competition leaves little or nothing to write home about. Out of four matches played, they won only two and lost two. The national ladies team’s dismal performance at the competition can be blamed on several factors: Cameroon, first of all, arrived in Abuja on the eve of the competition. The financial assistance from government came in late. The team had to travel by night to Douala in order to catch up with the plane at 6:00am. Apart from that, the team was stranded at the Douala Airport for hours due to delay in Camair flight schedule. The Cameroonian delegation only arrived in Abuja late on September 4. The fact that the team did not have adequate training before going for an international competition is enough reason for failure. Also the team that went to Nigeria was in complete. Only 11 out of 12 players were present in Nigeria.
According to the coach, the team that qualified the country for the World cup in Port Louis, Mauritius Island, was not in Abuja. Four of the players, the regulars, players were absent. The coach was forced to include other home-based players. The two professionals from France who came for the competition only joined the team in Abuja on the day of the competition after a long and tiring journey. Another reason for failure is the absence of modern sports infrastructure in Cameroon. Most of the Cameroonian players are not used to modern sports infrastructure. They therefore find it difficult to adapt in international competitions. However, officials of the Cameroon volleyball federation are working hard to ensure proper training for the team ahead of the World Cup competition next year.
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Hits: 1 | Source:cameroon-tribune.cm | |
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