By Kemoh Sesay
The national male and female volleyball teams have qualified for the next stage of the CAVB beach volleyball qualifiers for the Olympic Games in Brazil 2016. The male team defeated the host Guinea in the finals by 2 sets to 0 which earned them the gold medal. The female team lost in the finals to Guinea but still secured the silver medal.
According Coach Sorie Kamara, the performance of both team "was very much impressive and they have taken the right step in the right direction eventhough they have not been training for some time now because of the Ebola Crisis."
He described the next stages of the qualifiers as "very important for the players as it will increase their confidence to qualify for the continental championship which is the last stage for the finals In Rio."
Patrick Lombi one of the most outstanding players in the male team, saw the tournament as "an opportunity for us to showcase our talent after a long time since we've not been training because of the Ebola outbreak... all the matches were very difficult as our opponents were also strong."
On the female side, Lansana said she was also happy that they qualified. Asked about their defeat by Guinea in the finals she said, "we put up a brilliant display but we lost to a good side. The fact we still qualified is more important to us."
The Secretary General of the SLVA Ahmed Khanou said both teams made the country proud. He said they "exhibited a high sense of discipline, commitment to the good technical knowledge and organizational behavior in winning gold and silver medals."
© Politico 10/04/15
