Egypt and Tunisia booked their tickets to the 2011 world junior volleyball championship for females, Ghada Abdel-Kader reports Egypt won the 10th African nations youth championship for girls, thereby qualifying for the world junior championship taking place in Ankara from 12 - 21 August. Tunisia came second. In the biennial contest, the two top African teams progress. Only three countries participated in the African tourney held in Cairo from 31 March - 2 April in Al-Geish Club: Tunisia, Algeria and host country Egypt. In the opening match, Egypt clinched a thrilling 3-2 (21- 25, 21-25, 25-17, 25-19, 16-14) victory over Algeria. "The opening match was very difficult but we managed to win it," said Gamal Sheha, executive director of the Egyptian Volleyball Federation (EVF). On the second day, Tunisia defeated Algeria 1-3 (25-20, 24-26, 23-25, 23-25). In the final Egypt blanked Tunisia 3-0 (11-25, 17-25, 13-25). "I congratulate ourselves and Egypt for the revolution of 25 January," Sheha said, referring to the protests which felled the government. "I hope this has a good impact on sport, especially in changing some of the regulations of the National Sports Council, particularly the federation's elections and the choice of board members. We want experts to work hand in hand with the youth movement." The representative of the Organising committee from the African Volleyball Confederation(CAV) Diva Moolina said, "The level of the players was very high. All the three teams are of equal abilities and strength." The African Nations Championship takes place every two years at an avenue chosen by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB). Africa will have two representatives in the Ankara competition. which was supposed to be played last year in Rwanda "but because of the political situation the tournament could not be held there. It went to Egypt instead," Moolina said. Sheha told Al-Ahram Weekly, "The Egyptian Volleyball Federation (EVF) resumed its activities after the revolution. Everything is back to normal in all local and international events." On Egypt's chances in the Olympics Games London 2012, Sheha said, "The team has a good opportunity to qualify for the Olympics. Throughout the last 10 years Egypt have been masters of the African continent. "We were preparing to choose an international coach but due to the circumstances the issue was postponed. Now, we are back working on it." The EVF's agenda is full, added Sheha. "We are preparing for the women's junior championship in Peru from 21 - 30 July and the men's junior world championship in Brazil from 1 - 10 August."
