In addition to the tournament, we hope to get a coach from Japan, who will be in the team as a technical adviser ahead of the world event in Japan.

The team needs to reach the same level of competition that other nations will be exhibiting, hence the need to give them adequate preparations.

The opposition is very stiff but I am optimistic.

I expect a thrilling tournament as the championship is set to feature some of the best volley countries on the continent.

We need adequate preparations now that we are meeting the defending champions. I hope travel arrangements will be sorted out well in advance to avoid the problems we encountered last week.

a desperate move made with the hope of eliciting some sympathy from the court to permit him to spend some part of the remainder of his life outside of jail.