ABUJA – Head coach of Egypt’s women beach volleyball team, Esam Meawad, on Sunday in Abuja said his team would work hard to make Africa proud at the Rio Olympic Games.
Egypt had emerged winners of the African Final Women Beach Volleyball Qualifiers which began on Thursday and ended on Sunday, after they defeated Rwanda 2-1 in the final match.
Meawad, in an interview with newsmen after the final match, said the match was a game of supremacy but he knew his team would win.
“My players did very well. It was a wonderful performance. We played with all our spirit.
“But now we will go back home and work more, so that we will be better than now. We have three months from now for Rio. We will work hard for the Olympics Games,’’ he said.
The coach however acknowledged the Rwanda side’s quality, saying they have strong players.
“We thank God that we came out victorious, and we played with all our spirit. We are very happy to be here, and the event was well organised,’’ he said.
On his part, Paul Bitok, the Rwanda coach, said the last part of the qualifiers was controlled by the Egyptians.
“My team 1 did not have enough time to rest before playing their second game. They only rested for 30 minutes. The Egyptian Team 1 rested for more than one hour before they played their second game.
“My team was very tired and could not continue. They have to give out. It is not easy to move in this sand for one hour. I am happy because they played well, in spite of the loss.
The qualifiers was held at the Jabi lakeside.
It was hosted by the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) in conjunction with the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB).
NAN reports that the 2016 Olympic Games will hold from Aug. 5 to Aug. 21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (NAN)
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