Following the conclusion of the Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championship held in Kigali, Rwanda, Uganda Volleyball Federation (UVF) has now shifted it’s focus to local events following a long spell of inactivity of domestic competitions.
Uganda men’s national volleyball team, Volleyball Cranes finished fifth (5th) at the Kigali continental showpiece after beating hosts Rwanda 1-3 in the 5/6 placement fixture on Tuesday this week to claim a strong finish to the tournament.
Volleyball Cranes returned home yesterday (Thursday, 16th September) night and now attention shifts to local events.
The last local competition was held in May this year in the shape of Kabale Open held at Kabale University. It happened just after the Ndejje Open held at Ndejje University reinstated play following over a one year hiatus due to Covid-19 disruptions.
With sports activities still struggling following a 42-day lockdown imposed by government way back in June, UVF is now fully focused on reinstating the national league.
“We’re planning to open the league to make sure that players start competing at club level,” Sadick Nasiwu, UVF president said during the Volleyball Cranes return last night at Entebbe International Airport.
With schools still closed due to Covid-19, Nasiwu says that as soon as they (schools) open, competitions at school level will also be reinstated and possibly UVF can fully reopen competitive play in the near future.
“There were many athletes whom we couldn’t think of because of lack of competitions for the last two years. It was very difficult to know their fitness levels, it was also hard to know who is where,” Nasiwu added admitting that athletes were picked according to history prior to the Kigali meet.
Nasiwu also adds that when competitions are reinstated, the national teams scouts will be able to identify new players for the respective sides.
Local teams will return to the court next month during the National Clubs Championship slated for 9th and 10th October 2021 in Kabale.
Other competitions that were set to be played this year included; OBB International Tournament, KAVC International Tournament and the like but have been disrupted by the pandemic just like the Aporu Okol Memorial Volleyball Tournament.
