By Ijeoma Okigbo
Ashgabat – Wei Jizhong, former president of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) says Africa needs good coaches and more competitions to make global impact in the sport.
He disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday at the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Ashgabat, the Turkmenistan’s capital.
Wei said Africa’s many talents in Volleyball were no doubt waiting to be harnessed.
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“Volleyball in Africa is improving especially beach volleyball. I think beach volleyball will be the first in Africa to develop because it is easy.
“If the beach volleyball is developed, then the indoor volleyball will become more popular in Africa.
“You have a lot of talented players but you need good coaches and more competitions.
“So I think if the International Volleyball Federation together with the African Volleyball Confederation works together, we can improve volleyball in Africa.
“And make volleyball number two sport in Africa because the number one sport is always football.’’
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The 79-year-old Wei is also the Honorary Life President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).