Black Spikers miss African Volleyball Championship

The Black Spikers, Ghana’s National Female Volleyball team, were left stranded and frustrated after the Ghana Volleyball Federation (GVF) failed to secure funds from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to travel to Algeria for the qualifiers for the World Volleyball Championship.

The Federation wanted $54, 000 from the Ministry to enable them travel to Algeria on Saturday, February 22, for the commencement of the qualifiers on Sunday, February 23.

However, as at the close of work Friday, February 21, the federation could not secure the funds from the ministry whilst efforts to get an approval letter from the Chief of Staff to be used as a guarantee to secure credits also failed.

Paul Atsu, president of the GVF, said in an interview that, they had no option than to withdraw from the competition because the Ministry of Youth and Sports could not raise the required funds for the trip.

He described the development as a major blow to the federation and could attract sanctions from the continental body since the necessary arrangements have been made for their participation.

“We were to play Algeria on Sunday in the opening match, whilst hotels have been booked for us, so failure to participate will be a huge disappointment for us and the continent.” He stated.

He said the federation has since last year, funded their participation in the prelims and was counting on the ministry to fund the last stage, but had to be met with disappointments.

Atsu said, the withdrawal comes as a huge disappointment to the playing body, technical team and the executives after months of sacrifice.

“We have been training since last year, and it is unfortunate it has come to nothing because we will not be able to participate in the World Cup qualifiers” he noted.

The Championship is scheduled for Sunday, February 23, to March 7, in the Algerian capital, with the World Cup in Italy, later in the year.