Moyale Barracks have defended the men’s Raiply National Volleyball Championship following a 3-1 victory over fellow Malawi Defence Force (MDF) side Kamuzu Barracks (KB) in the final at Katoto Court in Mzuzu on Sunday.
The Mzuzu-based soldiers showed determination early in the game as they led 25-21 in the opening set before trailing 20-25 in the second. However, they put the game beyond the Lilongwe-based soldiers’ reach when they took advantage of their various errors to subsequently push the sets to 25-9 and 25-23.
Moyale team manager Faston Tegha said it was quite fulfilling to wear the crown for the second time in a row.
“This is the moment we have been waiting for. It feels good to win the national title in a row. I should applaud our players for putting a gallant fight,” he said.
His KB counterpart Lutufyo Kayange said although it was painful to lose the final, “but we will do our best to succeed in the next edition”.
The women’s final between Eagles and Kamuzu Barracks could not be completed as darkness crept in during the last set. Before that, the two sides were tied two-all.
Volleyball Association of Malawi (VAM) general secretary Jailos Nkhoma yesterday said the women’s final will be replayed at a later date. He, however, said they were impressed with the overall performance and conduct of the teams at the event.
According to volleyball rules, a game starts afresh if at least four hours pass before an abandoned game is concluded.
In individual honours of the men’s section, the most valuable player (MVP) and best spiker accolades went to Karonga Spikers’ Shabani Julius.
Martin Mzumara, Johnstone Msowoya (Moyale) and Robert Ngalamira (Snipers) were named best setter, best blocker and best receiver respectively.
The ladies’ category saw Sarah Dare (Eagles) claiming both the MVP and best setter awards. Katoto Queens’ players Liness Kanyika, Hannah Kaunda and Donnalia Nyirenda finished as the competition’s best receiver, best blocker and best spiker respectively.
Raiply Malawi Limited chief executive officer Krishna Dad assured volleyball followers in the country that the company will continue sponsoring the competition.
VAM president Jappie Mhango thanked government for creating a conducive environment for the development of the sport in the country.
