Jeshi Stars top contenders as Nyerere Volleyball tour rages on
NATIONAL champions Jeshi Stars and Magereza need to prove their prowess against the other 22 teams listed for the Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Volleyball tournament.
This year’s tournament has also drawn teams from Kenya,Rwanda and Burundi besides the hosts Tanzania.
The five-day Memorial tournament officially started in Arusha yesterday involving 14 men and 10 women’s teams in a fierce battle for the coveted trophies.
The tournament climaxes on October 14th this year, according to Shukuru Ally, the assistant secretary general of Tanzania Amateur Volleyball Association (TAVA).
Other teams participating in this year’s tournament, according to Ally KIUT (Kampala International University of Tanzania), Chui, JKT, Arusha Champion, Karatu, MTC, Mopango, Pentagon and Mbulu.
The foreign teams in the men’s category are APR from Rwanda, Rukinzo (Burundi) while Kenya Forest and GSU are from Kenya.
Women’s category teams from Tanzania include the National women title holders Magereza, KIUT, Jeshi Stars, JKT, Star Girls, Golden Wings, Chui and Orkeeswa.
Foreign teams in ladies discipline are APR, DCI and Young Spikers of Kenya.
Jeshi Stars and Magereza won the 2022 men and women’s championship in the national level tournament climaxed over the weekend at the Benjamin Mkapa Indoor court in Dar es Salaam.
This year’s volleyball championship was a huge success, according to TAVA Chairman, Magoti Mtani.
Jeshi Stars beat KIUT 3-1 to win the men’s title, while Magereza won the ladies title after seeing off KIUT.
In the semifinals playoff, Jeshi Stars ousted Chui by three straight sets while KIUT defeated TANESCO 3-1.
In the women’s category, KIUT downsized Jeshi Stars with three straight sets whereas Magereza had to work harder to beat Star Girls 3-2.
Michael Ngonge of Jeshi Stars was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and also won the best blocker award.
The best setter award went to Jovin Kerwa of KIUT, Saidi Alhaji (KIUT) was the league’s best server, the Best receiver award went to Geoffrey Kitila (TANESCO), and the Best Spiker was Omary Bure (KIUT) while the Best Libero was Kabegha Khahima of TANESCO.
KIUT coach Msami took the Best coach award.
Mtani noted that the winners will represent the country in the continental club-level tournaments.
