Cairo, Egypt, March 13, 2005 – The South African women’s team has confirmed they will visit Kenya on their way to the 2006 World Championship first round tournament (Africa Pool A) which begins in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday.

South Africa, who are third favourites to win the tournament, which finishes on Saturday, behind Egypt and Nigeria, are currently rebuilding under their Egyptian Coach Abdelhamid El-Wassimy but has recently made great progress through their condensed preparation programme. A three-match tour of Kenya is seen as part of that build up.

The South African team arrived in Nairobi on Thursday where they are set to play three friendly matches against Kenya's top sides, African club champions Kenya Pipeline, Telkom and Kenya Commercial Bank before they leave for Egypt on Monday.

Meanwhile, Egypt have started their preparation for the tournament, which will be held in Abdallah El-Faysal Hall in the Al-Ahly club with head coach Hesham Badrawy including the experienced player Tahany Toson in the final squad despite her currently being in Leipzig, Germany on a Volleyball course. Badrawy expects her great experience to play a vital role in his team’s chances to advance to the World Championship final round for the second successive time.

The three day 2006 World Championship first round tournament (Africa Pool A) features four teams - Egypt, Nigeria, Botswana and South Africa - competing for the first women's ticket through to the final round in Japan.

By Tarek Al-Adwar, CAVB Press Officer.