Jostling for slots

By Oscar Pilipili

It is not only the African crown that attracts more than 32 clubs in the CAVB Men and Women African Club Championships but also FIVB Clubs World Championships slot that spices the African competitions.

Tunisia and Kenya will be hosting the two major African championships in terms of the number of participants in April and May.

Besides being crowned champions, winners of the continental show earn ticket to represent Africa in the lucrative FIVB World Clubs Championships to be held in Qatar later this year.

Kenya Prisons women’s team has been African representatives on both occasions since the feminine event was revived in 2010.

Prisons finished last in the six-team event on their maiden appearance in 2010 and improved one position after they finished in fifth position last year.

Women’s team to play in FIVB Clubs Championships will be known after Africa’s version of the competition to be played in Nairobi on May 10-19.

Kenyan teams — national champions Pipeline, Prisons and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) coming as favourites as usual to win the title at their homelands at Kasarani.

Podium positions

The Kenyan team occupied all the podium spots in 2010 when Prisons won the title in Mauritius followed by Pipeline and KCB.

Al Ahly of Egypt comes as the biggest competitor for the Kenyans as they have the second best record of the competition with five crowns after Pipeline who achieved six cups.

Tunisia will stage the men’s competition on April 21-30 with more than 20 clubs expected to take part.

The North African country carries the record of the number of participating clubs when they hosted 22 clubs in 2010 edition.

The Championships gives Tunisia an opportunity to host its first continental competition after the political revolution that affected the country last year.

Among other giant participating clubs are Al Ahly of Egypt who comes as one of the big contenders to win the title. The Egyptian team carries the record of titles with 10 crowns under their belt including the last two editions in 2010 and 2011.

Al Ahly line-up features six players who turned out for national team that represented Egypt in the 2011 FIVB World Cup including the competition best spiker Ahmed Abdelhay.