Guyana’s quest to represent the Golden Arrowhead at the upcoming Bolivia Invitational Volleyball tour was dealt a blow, following weeks of training and practice, as the trip was recently negated.
The tour, which starts on May 26, features other sports, but Guyana, who have been a volleyball powerhouse over recent years, have been undergoing rigorous sessions in preparation of the tour.
Volley-ballers going through their training
Two senior teams, a male and female, were recently shortlisted following assessments from national selector and head coach Levi Nedd and his selection panel.
It was Nedd who confirmed to Guyana Times Sport on Thursday morning that he was told the trip has been cut due to financial constraints being experienced by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), who were responsible for the purchasing of tickets.
The coach said the news was conveyed to him by a GOA member who is also a member of the volleyball fraternity: that the GOA was able to facilitate finances for only 10 persons, the large squad selected exceeding 30 members of both the male and female teams, as well as the coaching staff, thus resulting in the cancellation of the trip.
Nedd said he was disappointed by the current situation, but understood there was nothing that could be done from his end. He said the players, some of whom he had talks with, were in high spirits despite the cancellation.
“The players were all hyped for the scenario. The players are disappointed, but the way I spoke to them (caused them to understand) the situation. The Berbice guys I spoke to handled it with professionalism; that’s why I’m looking at an alternative”, Nedd revealed.
Need pointed out that he was in the process of reaching out to the GOA to have a better picture, while he’s in the midst of preparing a ‘Plan B’ for his players, who were upbeat ahead of the international assignment.
“As I said, I’m currently looking for an alternative, because everyone was overseas- minded ahead of the tour. So I’m looking at an international alternative, because they have worked hard for their selection, and not often do they get to travel and play overseas,” he added.
Speaking in regard to the journey going forward, Nedd believes it is important for the players to remain fit and keep training as if the tour were still on. He said he would be working closely with the players ahead of June/July’s 2018 Border Games held in Brazil, while keeping one eye trained on October’s Inter-Guiana Games (IGG).
Meanwhile, efforts to reach the GOA via telephone on Thursday proved futile.
