Iraq’s Wissam Al Majd clinched a four-set victory over Libya’s Al-Mustaqbal Beni Ghazi in the inaugural Afro-Arab Sitting Volleyball Club Championship held in Cairo International Stadium from February 28 to March 3.
The third-place match saw Riyadh of Saudi Arabia secure victory over Egypt’s Eastern Company in straight sets, while compatriots Al-Madinah Al-Munawara secured fifth position after defeating S Salawia in a five-set encounter. Meanwhile, Rwanda’s Gisagara claimed the seventh spot with a straight-set win over Algeria’s Mohamed Boudiaf.
Under the auspices of Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi, 12 teams participated in the tournament, representing clubs from Iraq, Morocco, Rwanda, Nigeria and Egypt, with each country fielding one team. Algeria and Saudi Arabia fielded two squads each, while Libya had three.
Fahd Nayef Al-Faqir, president of the Arab ParaVolley Committee, expressed his delight in sponsoring the tournament, emphasising the important of such events in promoting the sport.
“I am very happy to see all these players and teams having the chance to gather and compete not only from the Arab countries, but from the African countries as well. It is a good chance to exchanaage experiences and to create job in the lives of the heroes who challenged themselves to provide us with an example and model to follow in overcoming disability and enjoying life,” Al-Faqir said.
He also announced that Saudi Arabia would host the second edition of the tournament next year, aiming to make it an annual event to provide sitting volleyball players with the opportunity to compete and showcase their talents.
World ParaVolley President Lori Okimura expressed her gratitude for the invitation of Al-Faqir, stating, “It is wonderful to be here in the historic and beautiful country of Egypt, where sitting volleyball is thriving. It is also great to see people like Al-Faqir who works hard for the sake of persons with disabilities. It is a great event, and I am happy to be part of it.”
The tournament also featured a coaching seminar alongside the championship, which was attended by Okimura, providing an opportunity to interact with players, coaches and referees.
The winners of the tournament received cash prizes, with 150,000 pounds awarded to the champions, 100,000 pounds to the runners-up and 50,000 pounds each to the third and fourth place teams.
Individual awards were also presented to Kamel Hussein Abdel-Azim of Eastern Tobacco as…
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