FIVE countries have confirmed participation in the Zone VI Beach Volleyball Qualification Tournament for the youth and junior categories this weekend at DTS Beach Volleyball Arena in Windhoek.

Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, South Africa and host Namibia will take part in the U21 and U18 zonal double gender qualification tournament for the World Cup.

The best four teams will qualify for the next round taking place in March or April.

Namibia is taking part with its top junior players Tin Hlupic and Gerard Fischer, who have already got a bagful of experience from last year's World Cup.

In the female junior category, Julia Laggner, a World Cup participant in 2011, will arrive on Friday from Germany to play together with local junior Saskia Henckert.

"Although we never played together, I think me and Saskia will give favourites South Africa a hard time," says Laggner, who is one of the best beach volleyball players on the continent.

In the U18 youth category for girls, local team Maike Brandt/Mareike Talkenberg will have a good chance to gain one of the top places.

The games will start at 09h00 tomorrow. Sport enthusiasts are urged to come out in numbers and support the teams.