Zambia Volleyball Association (ZAVA) vice president Kwasi Masole has appealed to respective clubs whose teams have qualified for Zone six games in South Africa to see to it that they all attend the prestigious tournament and possibly clinch professional deals of playing abroad.
Masole said qualifying for Zone Six games was one of the conditions some clubs were given by their management adding that it would be a shame if they failed to honour the achievement.
In an interview with Goal Diggers! Masole also noted that Zambia had incredible volleyball talent that is attractive to other countries where the sport is bankable.
“I will feel bad if none of our clubs manages to travel to South Africa for zone six games. These youngsters were told by management to play for everything and that management would sponsor their next endeavours. Time is running out and it seems only two out of four clubs will travel. It is disappointing. This is their chance to be spotted by other countries and play the game professionally. Right now, the biggest player in South Africa is Zambian,” said Masole.
Meanwhile, Southern Province Volleyball Association vice-president in finance, Kabulo Hakayobe, noted that there was a need to establish a linkage between Zambia and neighbouring countries that hold the sport in high esteem like Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
“These countries can have the chance to scout in us and we would do the same like the case in Basketball. This is one of the ways we can retain the glory that Volleyball used to enjoy not long ago. The talent we have in Zambia is too good to watch it go to waste,” said Hakayobe.
Green Eagles, Indeni, Chalube, Kamwala Magic and Super Select are the clubs scheduled to travel to South Africa for Zone Six games while the national sports council says only two have so far confirmed that they will travel. The tournament kicks off next month.