Egypt’s Al Ahly has pulled out of this year’s Women Africa volleyball club championships scheduled for this Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya.Most schools and colleges in Egypt started examinations on April 25 and since most of the players of last year’s bronze medalists are students, the club has communicated to the continental volleyball governing body-CAVB indicating their absence in this year’s event.According to the Confederation of African Volleyball Board (CAVB), 21 teams of the 25 that registered have confirmed their participation in the 19th edition which is also a qualifying tournament for this year’s FIVB World Cup championships due October 13-19 in Qatar.Defending champions Kenya Prisons, Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Commercial Bank (Kenya), Rwanda Revenue Authority and APR (Rwanda), Les AS (Burundi), Nkumba University (Uganda) and Jeshi Stars (Tanzania) are the sides from the East African region.From West Africa are seasoned rivals FAP and Efoulon (Cameroon), Stellar (Ivory Coast), Blue Eagles (Nigeria), Manga Sports and Varieties (Gabon) and for the very first time North Africa will be represented by only one team-Algeria’s Chlef. Tunisia will also not send a team.Neighbouring DR Congo will be represented by Daring Club Motema Pembe and Canon Ndjini while Stef Auto (Madagascar), DGSP (Congo Brazzaville), Water Sports (Ethiopia) and Mafolofolo (Botswana) will also be eyeing a podium finish.At a local organising committee meeting on Saturday, the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Waithaka Kioni Nyayo stadium and MISC Annex Hall were identified as training venues.Visiting teams are expected in Nairobi tomorrow ahead of Wednesday’s technical meeting which will also hold the draws for the event set to kick off the following day.
