Arsu Ladies Depart for African Volleyball Championship in Cairo After Zone 7 Silver
VICTORIA, Seychelles — Arsu Ladies, the Anse Royale-based volleyball club, departed Seychelles on Saturday for the African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship in Cairo, Egypt, set to run from April 11 to 24, brimming with determination following their runners-up finish at the Confederation of African Volleyball Zone 7 Club Championship held at the Palais des Sports, Roche Caïman, last month, where they narrowly lost 2-3 to Tampon Gecko Volley of Réunion in a gripping five-set final that demonstrated their tactical discipline, fighting spirit, and ability to compete under pressure at the highest regional level. The continental championship will bring together Africa’s top clubs, including powerhouses from Egypt, Tunisia, Kenya, and Cameroon.
The departure of Arsu Ladies for Cairo marks a watershed moment in Seychellois women’s volleyball, as the club’s qualification for the African club championship signals that the standard of volleyball in the country has reached a level capable of competing on the continental stage. For Seychellois volleyball fans and the broader sporting community, the club’s performance at both the Zone 7 championship and in Cairo will serve as a measure of how far the sport has developed and what further investment and development could achieve.
Arsu Ladies’ performance throughout the CAVB Zone 7 Club Championship underlined their qualities as a regional force, with their run to the final against one of the Indian Ocean’s strongest club sides confirming that their presence in Cairo is fully merited. Their five-set battle against Tampon Gecko Volley, in which they won two sets, showed the competitive spirit and technical quality that coaches and supporters believe can be translated onto the continental stage, according to the club’s preparations. Match fitness, cohesion, and competitive momentum remain high, and the experience gained from that gruelling final is expected to sharpen their edge in Cairo.
The African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship is widely regarded as the pinnacle of club volleyball on the continent, offering teams not only a shot at continental glory but also a platform to assert dominance against the best club programmes in Africa. For Arsu Ladies, the tournament represents both an opportunity and a test, as they face teams with deeper squads and extensive continental experience. Their immediate transition from regional competition to continental duty is expected to work in their favour in terms of match sharpness and team cohesion, while the lessons learned at Zone 7 level are expected to inform their tactical approach in Cairo.
Meanwhile, City Ladies, who finished fourth at the CAVB Zone 7 Club Championship, had initially been set to also participate in the African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship in Cairo but decided not to travel at the last minute. The absence of City Ladies means Arsu Ladies will be the sole Seychellois representative at the continental level, carrying the hopes of the entire national volleyball community as they compete against Africa’s elite clubs.
A strong showing in Cairo would mark a significant milestone for Arsu Ladies and further elevate Seychelles’ presence in African volleyball, adding to the momentum built through consistent investment in club development and the emergence of talented players at both senior and youth levels across the archipelago.
