BAHRAIN’S players “are not taking things lightly” in this year’s FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship, says junior national team assistant coach Protic Nebojsa.
The prestigious Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) tournament gets underway today at Shaikh Isa Sports City in Riffa, and it will be the second time in as many years that the talented young Bahrainis are competing at the highest level in their age class.
Virtually the entire team is back for this competition from the one that flew the kingdom’s flag in the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship in 2017. This time, however, Coach Nebojsa says that they are attacking things differently and will be looking to put in a better show.
“They understand the situation they are in,” said the Serbian tactician. “They had been given a first chance two years ago to host this kind of global event, and they took it a bit lightly, and we did not make such a good result although it was not bad.
“Last year, we hosted the Asian championship and we almost achieved the qualification for this tournament. Unfortunately, we lost in the quarter-finals and it cost us qualification. But our federation as a host of this tournament was very kind to give us this second opportunity and I know for sure the guys are ready and they are not taking this lightly.”
Coach Nebojsa added that he expects Bahrain’s players to give their maximum effort in every game they play, beginning today against South American giants Puerto Rico.
“They’re going to give a good fight in every match and they’re going to give their best to achieve a better result than two years ago,” said coach Nebojsa.
“The full team is back; they are the best players we have but they are two years older now. We are stronger and I hope so much better team-wise, and both tactically and technically.”
BAHRAIN PLAYERS (in order of jersey number, age, position): 1 Sayed Mohammed Alabar, 19, opposite hitter; 2 Jawher Fares, 19, middle blocker; 3 Saif Yusuf Saif, 20, setter; 4 Mohammed Jassim Abdulla, 19, middle blocker; 7 Mohammed Haroona, 19, setter; 8 Hassan Al Shakhori, 18, middle blocker; 10 Jasim Mohammed Turki, 18, opposite hitter; 11 Hussain Ali Thamer, 19, outside hitter; 12 Bader Nasser, 18, libero; 13 Hasan Alhaddad, 19, outside hitter; 14 Mahmood Ahmed Mohammed, 20, opposite hitter; 15 Yousuf Saif, 20, setter; 17 Sayed Yusuf Jaffer, 20, opposite hitter; 18 Hussain Sultan, 18, libero.
Coaching and administrative staff: Head Coach, Yousuf Khalifa; Assistant Coach, Protic Nebojsa; Doctor, Pocekovic Aleksandar; Team Director, Abdulla Almahroos.