Moyale Barracks won the Raiply National Volleyball Championship after beating rivals Blue Eagles in three straight sets at Katoto Secondary School Sports Complex in Mzuzu.
Moyale Barracks Volleyball Team emerged the champions by defeating Blue Eagles Volleyball Team 3-0 in the consecutive sets in the men’s division.
In a post-match interview, Moyale Barracks coach Aubrey Mpeyama said they prepared well as shown by beating last year’s champions Wolves.
“We prepared well for the match. The boys showed that they played according to our plan,” he said.
His Blue Eagles counterpart Lumbani Mkandawire said his charges were not in good form.
“We struggled to match our opponents. No wonder they won in straight sets.
In the ladies category, Vixens also denied Blue Eagles Ladies to defend after losing 3-1.
Moyale overcame defending champions Wolves 3-1 after a hard-fought 3-1 semi-final win over defending champions Wolves while Eagles defeated Lilongwe Spikers 3-2.
Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) president Bouchra Hajij also graced the tournament.
In an interview she said she was impressed with the standards of volleyball in Malawi.
During prizes, champions in each category got K2 million while runners-up received K1,250 000 each.
Raiply Malawi sponsored the tournament to the tune of K25 million, which was an increase from last season’s K10 million.
During the prize presentation, Raiply Malawi Limited chief executive officer Krishna Das said the company will continue sponsoring the competition.
He said his company is committed to assist government efforts in developing various sporting disciplines in the country.
“We have always enjoyed partnership with various stakeholders in the development of sports, mainly volleyball which we have assisted for more than a decade. We are still around and we shall continue sponsoring the sport which was not popular before we came in,” said Das.
In his remarks, chief sports officer from Ministry of Youth and Sports John Kaoche commended Raiply for continued support towards the sport despite economic hardship which have affected the businesses.
“Let me thank Raiply Malawi Limited for its continued sponsorship to volleyball which is complementing the government’s effort in improving sports in the country,” he said.
He then pleaded with Raiply to consider increasing the sponsorship package to enhance its competitiveness.
While thanking Raiply for the sponsorship, Volleyball Association of Malawi (VAM) president, James Kaunda said the government continues creating a conducive environment for the development of sports in the country.
He said the participation in this year’s championship of teams from across the country is a clear indication that volleyball is developing even in rural areas.
