The 4th edition of the Bole District Juvenile Volleyball Gala took place at Mandari from Sunday June 27 to Monday June 28, 2021.
The Miksi choco sponsored colourful gala was keenly contested by five community based teams each in the under 15 boys and girls categories from Mandari, Seripe, Maluwe, Dabouyiri and Simarayiri.
In the highly competitive boys’ category, two-time former champions Mandari Ball Busters had a sweet revenge over Seripe Mighty Fingers.
The latter defeated the former in Seripe three months ago to claim the much sort after trophy.
Seripe defeated Maluwe and Simarayiri on thier way to the finals while Madari who drew bye in the first around overcame fast improving Dabouyiri in the Semi finals.
Both teams exhibited great volleyball skills to the admirations of their enthusiastic supporters.
After the lossing the first set, the host team( Mandari) recovered strongly and won the second forcing the game into a final set. The Seripe team led by the powerful Awusi Ahmed and the tricky Achito Bakari nearly spoiled the party of the home side after recovery from a poor start of the final set to within a point of making it 14-14. But after Ahmed Missed his set Karim and his collegues knew the advantage was theirs.
They eventually won 16-14 and reclaimed third lost gold. Simarayiri defeated Dabouyiri 2-0 to finish third.
Meanwhile in the girls category, the undisputed incredible Simariyiri team after sweeping aside Maluwe and Seripe beat Mandari again in the finals for the fourth consecutive time to lift the trophy.
Seripe surprisingly lost thier third place to Dabouyiri.
The captain and the most powerful attacker of Seripe Mighty Fingers, Awusi Ahmed emerged as the most valuable player (MVP) of the tournament in the boys’ category whiles Simariyiri setter and captain of the u-13 girls Kanyitey Regina aka Kudus was judged the MVP of the girls’ category.
However, a 10-year old Kassim Salia of Seripe who was loaned to Mandari under 13 boys team stole the show with his wonderful performance and helped Mandari to beat Simariyiri in the first ever u-13 Volleyball match in the Bole District.
Salia dazzled the crowd many of whom underestimated him when he was selected. He effortlessly, served without missing a set, confidently received the opposition attach, appropriately set his attackers and even attacked smartly to the admirations of the crowd whole showed him with noted of money.
His amazing splendid performance even drew the attention of the busy officials of the sponsors miksi who gifted him a beautiful miksi choco branded t’shirt and an disclosed amount of money.
Salia, the youngest and smallest player ever to play the game in the district also layer received a medal for his heroics.
His adopted team Mandari who took home a trophy whiles Simariyiri u-13 girls who beat Mandari and picked the other trophy.
Date, venue and format of the next edition will be announced a later after a review meeting by the council of the Bole District Juvenile Volleyball Association.
Source: yagbonradioonline/Zakaria T Alidu
