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The latest 2005 Youth Girls'
Under 18 World Championships news |
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Youth Girls' World Championship News
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Tunisia hoping to create
new tradition
 Macau,
China, July 25, 2005 - Tunisia's debut at the Girls' U18
World Championship lasted only three games. But in that time
they feel they have collected enough information and
knowledge to lay the foundations for a brighter future on
their return home.
"We will be going back with a positive message," said libero
Rania Jouini after her team was beaten 3-0 by Chinese Taipei
on Monday and finished bottom of Pool D. "We will pass on
our experience to the next generation of players, and they
can only benefit in the future."
Tunisia failed to win a set in a hard group that comprised
of USA and Italy as well as Chinese Taipei, who had beaten
Japan to qualify for the ninth edition of this youth
championship.
Tunisia's head coach, Mohsen Ben Slimane, said they would be
much better prepared next time, despite having many
obstacles to overcome.
"In Africa there are only three competitive teams: Tunisia,
Egypt and Algeria," he said. "That means we play only two
international games to come here, whereas in Europe there
are many teams at the same level and this makes them
stronger.
"In Asia there is China, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Japan and
others, so their teams have more competition in the region."
The coach said that Tunisia's first experience at this level
had opened the eyes of the players and the staff to the
demands of world-level Volleyball.
"We have seen teams with physicians, psychologists and
nutritionists...young players have attended press
conferences and spoken to journalists...all this is very
new.
"Just being here will have boosted Volleyball for young
girls in Tunisia, and we can take back this experience and
use it for the future."
Ben Slimane added that tradition was against them, from a
social, economic and religious point of view, but this first
taste of world Volleyball had whet their appetite for more. |
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