Seabata Mahao
Over 48 volleyball clubs from the southern Africa region will descend upon Maseru from December 7 to 17 for the 2023 Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 6 Volleyball Club Championships.
This after Lesotho Volleyball Association (LVA) was awarded the hosting rights of the showpiece by CAVB.
At the conclusion of the games, LVA will proceed to host the CAVB Annual General Meeting (AGM) for all the Presidents and Secretary Generals of registered National Volleyball Federations from December 18 to 19.
The games are scheduled to be played at the iconic Thaba-Bosiu fortress, in a wool center hall.
Speaking on behalf of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), LVA’s Vice-President Finance, Khethollo Tsakatsi said a total of 48 senior male and female teams have already confirmed and booked their spots in the tournament.
They come from Botswana, eSwatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Republic of South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola and Lesotho.
“This totals to an estimated 532 players, 76 coaches, 12 referees, 38 team managers, 10 Presidents and 10 Secretary Generals of the registered federations. This translates to a minimum of 742 delegates taking part in the games,” Tsakatsi said.
“Lesotho Volleyball commands a fan base of about 1000 people and more given the recent performance of our senior women team at Africa Women Nations Championship 2023 in Cameroon, where they are now ranked 12th in Africa,” Tsakatsi stated.
In general, the games are expected to host an estimated attendance of 1,500 people per day.
Lesotho will be represented by three male teams namely Redskins, LOC and LMPS. Botswana will bring six male teams including Police VI, Mafolofolo, Spiking Stars, Kutlwano, BDF VI and Mag Stimela. Eswatini’s male teams will include Scorpions, Correctional Services and RSP.
Malawi will be represented by Wolves and Blue Eagles, while Mozambique will send Academica de Maputo and UP.
South Africa is sending VUT, Beat Master and Wits to the men’s tournament, while Zambia’s Buffaloes, Solwezi Ackers, Prison Leopards and Red Arrows will also participate.
Zimbabwe will be represented by UZ Wolves and Mambas. Angola will be represented by the Scorpions in the males’ tournament.
In the females’ tournament, Lesotho will send four teams namely LDF, Red Skins, Rovers and LMPS. Botswana will be represented by BDF VI, Kutlwano, UB Yaros, Spiking Stars, Police VI and Mag Stimela.
Eswatini’s female teams will be Correctional Services, RSP and Olympia. Malawi will be represented by Blue Eagles and Wolves, while Mozambique will send Academica de Maputo.
South Africa’s female team will be Lions, VUT and Liberte, while Zambia will send Prison Leopards, Buffaloes, Red Arrows, Wolves Lusaka and Falcons.
Zimbwabwe will be represented by Black Rhinos, UZ Wolves, NABA and Mambas. Namibia will be represented by Namibian Navy.
