The South Sudan Volleyball Association is taking steps to become the newest member of the African Volleyball Confederation, the group’s secretary general said.
Boul Kornelio Koriom of the South Sudan Volleyball Association said on Wednesday that he will soon travel to Cairo, Egypt to register for acceptance into the AVC, and eventually into the International Volleyball Federation.
Boul said he received a call from AVC president Amr El Wani on the matter, adding that the AVC general assembly will meet in October to consider South Sudan’s file. South Sudan is currently a member of seven other international sporting federations, including for athletics, football, basketball, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, and handball.
There are about twelve men’s volleyball teams in Juba as well as eight women’s teams. Wau and Rumbek also have active volleyball associations.
Boul said volleyball, like other sports in South Sudan, lacks stadiums and budget because most support for the sport comes from private donations. The civil war has also disrupted volleyball activities in some states.
Buol, who was part of the South Sudan Football Association, said he has withdrawn his candidacy for SSFA president to devote himself full-time to volleyball. The SSVA will hold its own elections in August of this year.
Boul said the SSVA has organized two men’s volleyball tournaments in addition to a women’s tournament for peace in Wau. He said the SSVA is now preparing a tournament involving all states of South Sudan, during which volleyball equipment from South Korea shall be distributed throughout the states.
Radio Tamazuj photos: volleyball players in Juba (top), Boul Kornelio Koriom (bottom)