The 36th edition of the African Volleyball Club Championship, organised by Esperance Sportive de Tunis, kicks off today. (est.org.tn photo)

African Volleyball Club Champion

36th African Club Championship kicks off today

The 36th edition of the African Volleyball Club Championship, organised by Esperance Sportive de Tunis, will kick off Friday, March 17 at Zouaoui Hall, Tunis and will continue until March 27.

President of the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB), Amrou Alouane, told a press briefing Thursday in Tunis that "the African body has defended the candidacy of Esperance of Tunis for the organisation of one of the most important continental club competitions,” affirming that “Esperance has the capacities to well organise such competitions.”

The president of the CAVB said "the 36th edition will not automatically qualify for the Volleyball Club World Championship," adding that "the African representative will be nominated by the International Volleyball Federation on May 5 in accordance with the world club ranking.”

He also said that titleholders, Egypt’s Al-Jaish, who will not take part in this edition, will face sanctions since the CAVB regulations require that the top three teams in the last edition of the championship be among participants in the next edition.

Secretary General of the Esperance of Tunis, Farouk Kattou recalled that

the teams that have already confirmed their participation are, besides Esperance de Tunis, Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia), Al Ahly (Egypt), CB Bouaririj (Algeria), Bafia Volleyball Evolution and Forces Armees et Police "FAP" (Cameroon), Prisons (Kenya), Kapingo (Rwanda), Police (Botswana), AS Customs (Burkina Faso), AS Finances (Benin) and Ahly Benghazi (Libya) Al-Nahda (Sudan), Volley Club Espoir (DR Congo), who are expected to arrive on Thursday, while Al Ahly Tripoli has yet to confirm their participation.