Beach Volleyball: Uganda confident of qualification

By Swalley Kenyi

U-19 CAVB Beach Volleyball World Championships

Women
Uganda 0 Namibia 2

Men
Kenya   2   Egypt 0
Uganda 2   Namibia 1
Kenya   2   Uganda 0
Egypt    2   Namibia 1

Uganda’s Kathbert Malinga and Elias Isiagi will need to win their last game against Egypt on Saturday to qualify for the finals of the U-19 CAVB Beach Volleyball World Championships due in Portugal July.

 Malinga and Isiagi on Friday managed a 2-1 win over Namibia but lost their second game to Kenya 2-0.

Kenya also won against Egypt, swaying the odds of qualification in their favour, even if they lose their remaining game against Namibia on Saturday.

Uganda national beach volleyball team coach Sam Meya is optimistic the home boys can win their last game against Egypt to advance, especially after Namibia slipped against Uganda and Egypt.

The southern Africans face unbeaten Kenya on Saturday.

Meanwhile Coach Meya said his number one player at the U-19 CAVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Elias Isiagi has the potential to develop into a star player if monitored keenly.

Isiagi’s ability to pick crucial balls to allow his partner Kathbert Malinga turn them into points at the qualifiers saw Uganda beat Namibia 2-1 and the Team Uganda coach said the player deserved credit for his performance.

“It is because of his (Isiagi’s) ability to pick crucial balls and turn them into points that count. He his fearless and a good defender with an ability to be a star if monitored well. I am encouraging him to turn up regularly for other championships for him to develop into a big name,” he said on Friday.

While all eyes were set on Malinga, 18-year-old Isiagi surprised his coach with his agility as Uganda reigned supreme over Namibia, 21-15 21-17.

Ugandan women qualified for the 2014 World Championships even before throwing a ball at the Confederations of Africa Volleyball U-19 Cup qualifiers because only three teams had registered for the qualifiers.