PRESIDENT of the Guyana Volleyball Federation, Levi Nedd, is optimistic that the national U-21 male team can bring back the title when they compete in the third annual Inter-Guiana Volleyball Tournament scheduled for this weekend in French Guiana.

Guyana’s male team won the competition in 2018, but lost due to “bad officiating” in the 2019 final.

Nedd had noted that some of the calls were against the visiting side and stated that the technical official of the French Guiana Volleyball Federation also acknowledged it and promised to get overseas officials for the next series. Despite the calls, Guyana, who had defeated both French Guiana and Suriname in the preliminary rounds, had taken the home team to five games in their best-in-three championship clash.

MORE CONTROL
According to Nedd, who also functions as a coach, the male team have improved this year, despite their limited training time.

“They have become more mature this year; as much as the training time was limited they have gelled as a team.”

Additionally some 10 of the 12 players who participated in the previous competition are again in the side.

“The male players are a strong unit; they are strong in their attacks. They have improved from last year in ball control and in their tactical decision-making during games.”

Guyana are also travelling with a female team, but historically they have not fared well against the more developed teams from French Guiana and Suriname.

“The girls have tried their best; they have improved and will continue to develop.”

One of the setbacks is that the National U-21 female team lost the services of one of their leading attackers, Cherry-Ann Fraser, who is with the West Indies team for the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Several persons assisted the squad with their overall expenses, including Spready’s Bakery in Port Mourant, Natasha’s Travel Service in New Amsterdam, Punai’s Pharmacy and Ignatius Robinson.

The side is scheduled to leave Guyana on Wednesday via land for Suriname before making their way into French Guiana.