National volleyball team prepares for zone V

Uganda Volleyball Federation (UVF) has relaxed their ban on attacker Ivan Ongom and setter John Bosco Opendi to allow them take part in the forthcoming Africa Zone V FIVB World Championship qualifier in Kigali, Rwanda starting Friday.

The federation had banned Malinga and Opendi for a year for playing in the national league here and in Kenya where they feature for Kenya Ports Authority but UVF president Hadija Namanda said  that the federation board had pardoned the players for national duty.

"Although the ban stays on for the players in the league and national championship, for the nation we had to give them a last chance as a (UVF) board. Its not entirely the players to blame. So they deserved a second chance. I had a lengthy talk with them (players) and they have promised to do things the right way," UVF president Namanda said.

The team beefed up by Bulgaria based Daudi Okello has been training under head coach Nason Bwesigye at Lugogo and MUBS. It is expected to head to Kigali on Thursday.

Up to 12 countries including hosts Rwanda, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Burundi, Tanzania and Somalia are expected to take part in the biennial championship at Amahoro indoor stadium.

National Team squad

Centre Players: Dickens Otim (Sport-S), Vincent Odeke (Sky), Sam Egwau (UCU), Saviour Atama (KAVC), Bernard Malinga (Matrix)

Power attackers: Ivan Ongom (Sport-S), Daudi Okello (KAVC), George Aporu (Nemostars)

Receive attackers: Kathbert Malinga (Sky), Ronnie Kutosi (Sky), Emma Kato (Sky)

Setters: J B. Opendi (Sky), Smith Okumu (Sky), Albert Ggayi (Sport-S)

Liberos: Stephen Ogutti (Sport-S), Elias Esiagi (UCU), Emma Elanyu (KAVC)

Manager: Charles Kamunvi

Head coach: Nason Bwesigye, Assisted: Amon Ainebyona

Trainer: Daniel Kazibwe