The U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships volley offs this week in Portugal, but Uganda won’t be represented despite qualifying two teams.The pairs of Kathbert Malinga/ Erias Isiagi and Faith Magole / Jackline Kwikiriza will stay home and watch Namibian pairs represent Africa in the boys and girls category respectively.
This is after Uganda Volleyball Federation (UVF) failed to raise air tickets worth Shs18m to transport the players with their coach Sam Meya. “Much as the organizers were taking care of things like accommodation, feeding and internal transports, we failed to get tickets for our team,” said UVF general secretary Joyce Achan.
Uganda had qualified in second place in the boy’s category behind Kenya and above Egypt and Nambia in that order. It was also Uganda in second place in the girl’s category behind Namibia which Faith Magole and Kwikiriza competed.
“Not good news at all for someone who has been looking forward to play at a more international stage for the first time,” said Malinga. “We get to miss out on the chance to learn from the better prepared players how beach volleyball is played but it is not the end of the road, maybe other opportunities will come around,” added Isiagi.
According to Achan, the federation is working around the clock to send for upcoming beach volleyball championship later this year. Boys’ final ranking at the qualifiers
Country points
1. Kenya 9
2. Uganda 5
3. Egypt 3
4. Namibia 1
