By Phillip Pasula
MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Dates for the 2022 edition of the FISD International Volleyball Tournament have been shifted from 5th-7th August to 12th-14th August but the venue remains Katoto Open Courts in Mzuzu city.
Organisers of the volleyball fiesta told the media on Sunday in Mzuzu that defending champions, Mbeya Best VI from Tanzania, will still be involved in their domestic league on the initial dates, hence the change.
“Mbeya Best VI requested a shift on the dates because of their involvement in their domestic league and when we consulted the rest of the teams both local and international, it was resolved that we shift the dates of the tournament to 12th to 14th August, 2022,” explained Killy Musukwa, Organising Chairperson.
And in another latest development, Mzuzu International Academy has joined the support for the international volleyball tournament as it will offer accommodation for foreign teams at a very cheaper rate compared to what they could get elsewhere in Mzuzu city.
The academy is offering MK7, 000.00 per bed per person and so far three foreign teams have already expressed interest.
The press briefing also revealed that besides main sponsors, FISD Company Limited and other sponsors like Nyaluwangwa Farms and Grand Palace Hotel, Ecobank is also coming in as a sponsor and the bank is in the final stages of scrutinizing the budget to see how much it can pump into the tournament.
Touching on preparations, Musukwa said 70% of the preparatory work has been done for the tournament.
“We have painted the courts, some payments have already been made and our target is that by July 31st, we should be through with all the preps.
“We expect that this year’s tournament will be top notch. One unique thing about this tournament is that it is bringing teams from two zones. There will be teams from Zone VI as well as East Africa,” explained Musukwa.
Vice Chairperson for Northern Region Volleyball League, Aaron Manda, said the tournament was important in the development of volleyball in the country.
“Our players will have a platform to rub shoulders with professional players playing in professional teams. They will be exposed to other different volleyball techniques and styles. Our expectation is that teams from Malawi will reach the finals and possibly win the tournament,” he said.
Vice Captain for Moyale Volleyball Team, Moses Mzumara, said the tournament is always a thriller and his team hopes to clinch the championship this year.
“We have vivid memories of a loss in the finals to Mbeya Best VI last year, and this year we would like to emerge champions,” remarked Mzumara.
This year’s tournament will see Mbeya Best VI from Tanzania coming with the men’s team as defending champions and Kampala International University as a ladies’ team from Tanzania.
From Zambia, Nkhwazi Volleyball Team will come with both men’s and ladies’ teams just like Buffalo Volleyball Team while Prison Leopards will only bring a ladies’ team.
Zimbabwe will send NABA Men’s Volleyball Team and Harare City Ladies’ Volleyball Team.
In both men’s and ladies’ categories, this year’s champions will go away with MK2 million while runners up will pocket MK1 million.
However, MK600, 000.00 and MK400, 000.00 will be prize monies for positions 3 and 4, respectively.