The Men’s national volleyball team coach Gerard Jouault who had gone AWOL (Absence Without Leave) citing delayed payment is in South Africa to lead the team at the 2007 Men’s African Nations Championships that unfolds tomorrow.

The Frenchman who assumed coaching duties in March 2006 left for his native France in April 2007 after Rwanda’s poor show in the All Africa Games’ qualifiers that were staged in Sudan.

However, when contacted, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Joseph Habineza argued that if Jouault had not been paid, he would not have linked up the team in the first place.

"There is no way Jouault could have linked up with the team if his financial demands had not been met,” the minister said.

Jouault is a product of an agreement signed between the local volleyball federation and Elite Sport; a French company that specializes in strategy and sport management.

On top of landing Jouault, Elite Sport has recorded tangible achievements as far as Rwanda’s volleyball development is concerned.

On top of masterminding the national team’s three-week tour to France last year, the company has also helped the local federation to adapt to a new league format which made the 2007 national volleyball league more attractive and competitive.

In a related development, the Men’s national volleyball team flew out of the country on Wednesday to compete in the 16th edition of the Men’s African Nations Championships that throw off this Saturday in Durban, South Africa.

The 18-man contingent who left aboard a Rwandair Express flight comprised of 16 players, a coach (Emmanuel Ndungutse) and a physiotherapist.

The team took a direct flight to Johannesburg before connecting to Durban where the one-week competition will be staged.

Initially, the team was supposed to fly out of the country yesterday but was forced to alter its travel schedule by the national carrier.

"Rwandair Express flies to S.Africa on Wednesdays and Fridays so it was up to the team to decide whether to leave on Wednesday or Friday,” Benoit Nteziryayo, an official from the Rwanda volleyball federation said.

The team’s head coach Gerard Jouault linked up with the team on yesterday. The French tactician who returned to his native France mid this year could not link up with team in Rwanda for unclear reasons.

"Jouault is an experienced coach and the team needs him. Though he has not been with the team during its build up to this competition, he will work closely with Emmanuel Ndungutse (assistant),” Nteziryayo added.

The team heads into this competition with plenty to prove after failing to take part in the 2007 All Africa Games which were staged in Algeria.

Though Rwanda has successfully managed to establish her dominance in the region, she has failed to make her mark on the continent.

With over four CAN appearances, Rwanda is yet to make it to the quarterfinals stage.

The event’s action spills off this Saturday with over fourteen nations contesting for a World Cup berth.

Meanwhile, the ladies’ national volleyball team returned Wednesday from Kenya where it had gone to take part in the 2007 women’s African nations’ championships.

Rwanda finished last after failing to win a single game at the competition which was won by Kenya and had attracted 10 countries.

Ends