WVBF Protour 2009 presented by Cornèrcard in Lomé (Togo)

"A new era begins for the Beach Volleyball in Africa"
(Lausanne 31 March 09) The 2009 WVBF Beach Volleyball World Championship WVBF Protour
presented by Cornèrcard and organized by the World Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Federation
(WVBF in the text) started on 27 March by the first African stage of history in Lome (Togo). The
tournament, which was successfully organized by the Togo Volleyball and Beach Volleyball
Association chaired by Mr. Corneille Kpatcha, welcomed the men's and women's teams from
Italy, Ghana, Benin, Mali and of course from the host nation, Togo.
As guests of prestige, the tournament was able to rely on the presence of the Italian pair ,already
winner in 2008 Lugano Protour, composed of Roberto Buragina and Lazaro Milian. This team
finally won the men’s final against the Togo team composed of Lawsonagloulou Anani and
Komlan Weldeck. Third place was won by the Mali team composed of Cissé Zomana and
Ibrahima Diallo. Mali, one of the most dynamic associations in West Africa and chaired by Mr.
Makan Diarra who is also member of the WVBF Board of Administration, won the Women’s final
by the pair Fofana Sian and Doumbia Kadiatou; Ghana finished second with the pair Evelin
Fanoussam and Allan Souzana and also won the third place by the pair Polina Gwallalte and
Nortey Béatrice.
The Italy Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Federation President, member of WVBF Board of
administration and responsible for WVBF Protour, Mr. Vittorio Silvestri, confirms "This is only the
beginning of major competitions in Africa, a second event is already planned in Mozambique this
April”. The WVBF President, Jean Pierre Seppey, is full of joy about the creation of these new
African competitions "This is the clear evidence of the importance of the WVBF development
within our global institution. I want to congratulate personally President Kpatcha’s team, all the
volunteers and the Togo authorities for their successful first competition in Africa”.
The first Beach Volleyball World Protour also gave an opportunity to Michele Rossi, Italian and
WVBF international referee, to give refereeing courses to many African officials willing to referee
on the continental and world levels.
The 2009 WVBF Protour promises to be rich: after Africa steps, athletes will migrate to South
America then to Europe and finally to the Emirates for the grand finals which will make the end of
a majestic season.