Cllr. Moifee Kanneh: “"The league has not secured sponsors yet…”
The 2016/ 2017 National Volleyball League will be held at the Right to Play Gym in Paynesville, according to the Liberia Volleyball Federation (LVF), from April 22-24.
The resumption of the league, after a two year hiatus, will see 15 teams in the men’s category, including five new entries.
The LVF president, Cllr. Moifee Kanneh, said the level of competition is expected to be better than the 2013 League as they are planning to secure corporate sponsorship and to tighten the rules and regulations.
"The league has not secured any sponsor yet but we are hoping to secure one because volleyball is the third popular sports in the
country,” Kanneh said.
He revealed that the LVF has agreed to use the budgetary allocation of US$3,500 to support the national league.
"There will be free registration, and we will provide transportation of L$1,000 to each team during game day; and it will be every game day," Kanneh said.
He added that refreshment, medics, match officials' per diem and scanning of temperature will also be done at every game.
Mighty Barrolle that dominated Liberian volleyball was dethroned by Spartans in the last edition.
The most decorated club - Convex Twelfth, as well as the Giants, Spikers and Strikers are also expected on the court. Others, including Ducor Magic, Sinkor House, Falcons, and Dreams are also expected.
Meanwhile, the LVF boss has revealed that the men’s national volleyball team is in training in preparation for the upcoming Zone lll Competition. The training kicked off a month ago under head coach Otis Nyanneh.
"Skipper Renny Massaquoi and 14 others are in high spirits to represent
the country again in international championships," Kanneh said.
Kanneh said there will be elections in December, but was tight-lipped about his re-election bid.
He boasted of the exceptional standing relationships Liberia has with the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) and the Continental African Volleyball (CAVB).
He said his federation pays US$150 annually to FIVB and US$350 yearly to CAVB.
The LVF has participated in over four international congresses and competitions, and has benefitted from about six international training.
He noted that LVF enjoys excellent relationship with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, but not with the Liberia National Olympic Committee (LNOC).
In 2010, the LNOC expelled the LVF from its membership owing to what the LNOC described as the lack of free, fair and transparent election in the LVF.
The LVF leadership condemned the expulsion, arguing that the LNOC's decision was unjustifiable because its election was free, fair and transparent.