Ugandans shine at ECAVCO volleyball

By Peter Ekarot UGANDA produced five best individual performers in the week-long ECAVCO club championship that ended on Sunday. East and Central Africa Volleyball Confederation Women's champions, KAVC, had three in Harriet Tukahirwa (best setter), Doreen Ekemu (best blocker) and most valuable player Alice Gitta. KCC's Dorothy Nampiima was named best server while her teammate Carol Atim emerging best attacker. Kenya Pipeline skipped the event and went on to win the third Africa club Cup. Men's eight time champions Kenya Commercial Bank who snatched the title from General Motors, who did not feature, produced the best setter - David Lungaho and most valuable player, Paul Bitok. Runners-up, Mugher Cement Factory emerged Ebbissa Etana as best receiver, Fantahum Workabe as best attacker with their coach Nuruhassain Elemu emerging best tactician. Ethiopian Ambassador Tesfaye Negassa who presided over the prize-giving ceremony praised the standards exhibited by all teams and in particular thanked KAVC for winning a trophy for Uganda. Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) and ECAVCO secretary Charles Nyaberi concurred with Ethiopian envoy and said the introduction of FIVB attire by KAVC women would attract more crowds to the sport. KAVC women delighted the fans in the tight briefs and their victory was a class act rallying from a set down to emerge regional queens. The $300 participation fees charged per team threatened to mar the event as KAVC, who have no sponsors, almost failed to make it to the last stages, but eventually won a few cash donations. Addis Ababa was named venue for 14th edition, Dar es Salaam on standby. Kampala will host the first ECAVCO Nations Cup in September and Nairobi hosts regional juniors event in June. Ends