THE Zambia Volleyball Association (ZAVA) has set its sights on developing competitive national teams capable of excelling in regional competitions.

ZAVA president, Nakaonga Kakoma, emphasized the association’s commitment to investing in expatriate coaches to mentor the national teams and introduce advanced techniques.

“This year, our focus is to build strong national teams. We have not given them much attention in the past, but we want to change that. We are exploring the possibility of bringing in an expatriate coach for six months or a year to help grow talent within our national teams,” Kakoma said.

She noted that the association aimed to strengthen the Under-17, Under-21, and senior national teams.

Reflecting on a successful 2024 season, Kakoma praised her executive committee for its dedication to advancing volleyball in Zambia. She highlighted the increased prize money for the National League as a testament to ZAVA’s efforts.

“Last year was a very good year for ZAVA. We have raised our stakes significantly. For instance, last year’s winners received K10,000, but now they are receiving K50,000, while runners-up will be getting K20,000, up from K5,000. This progress shows how hard we have worked to bring sponsors on board,” she said.

Meanwhile, as ZAVA heads into an election year in 2025, Kakoma encouraged wider participation in the sport’s development.

“We are asking everyone capable of running volleyball to come on board. Volleyball is not just for a few individuals; it’s for everyone who loves the sport. We need people to join us in coaching, volunteering, and other activities to help the sport grow,” said Kakoma.

“My message to all stakeholders is to support us and give their best. There is still a lot of work to be done in volleyball, and we need everyone’s contribution to make a lasting impact”.