Dubai: Kristof Hoho was in superb attacking form for Al Nasr during last week's Asian Club Volleyball Championships.
However, in spite of throwing everything he had at his opponents, he couldn't prevent the hosts from finishing fourth - a repeat of the result achieved by the UAE champions in last year's tournament.
The 30-year-old is one of the many foreign imports playing in the UAE and Hoho takes to the courts next season draped in the purple of Al Ain, a side he led to the title two seasons ago.
The Belgium skipper revealed to Gulf News his views on volleyball, the difference between playing in Europe and Asia and what the UAE Volleyball Association must do to improve the quality of the sport. The following are excerpts:
GULF NEWS: When and how did you begin your UAE sojourn?
Kristof Hoho: Al Ain made an offer to me two years ago, so I came here to play a full season. They won the championship and wanted to keep me but there were better offers from Europe so I returned the next season. This year Al Ain wanted me back so I will play with them next season.
I like this place very much. Everybody's so friendly and warm. For me, it's just a pity that the volleyball is not all that great here, but life is! You have the sun shining all year long.
How was it playing in the blue [colours] of Al Nasr at the Asian Club Championships?
Al Nasr contacted me two months ago to play in the Asian Club Championships and I am thankful that they gave me this opportunity.
They are a strong side with some good players. They have Algeria's Hesham Qammadi and he's a really good player, so the league should be competitive next season.
What's your take on the quality of volleyball in the UAE?
Here the competition is not so good because you [only] have two teams - Al Rams and Hatta - who play outside, so they don't have much of a chance.
But there are a few really good sides like Al Nasr, Al Shabab, Al Ahli [and] Al Wasl. All Dubai teams do well because of the facilities they enjoy.
Also there are a lot of competitions for clubs here. You have the league and many more cups, but in Europe you only have the league competition and then the Cup, that's it!
What's the main difference in the quality of volleyball played here and in Europe?
In Europe the quality is much, much higher. The authorities changed the rules here somewhat. Three years ago only one foreign professional was allowed in a club in the UAE. [In] then the year I came, clubs were allowed to field two players but then they [the authorities] went back to the old rules again last year.
This is a real pity because if you allow two foreign professionals [in the league], the level of competition will improve and it's also good for the local players.
Do you feel the UAE should follow the lead of other Arab countries like Qatar and naturalise foreign players to make them eligible for the national team?
In most countries, after a while, foreign players can opt to play for the national team. Look at Qatar, they have so many foreign players playing for them.
If the UAE Volleyball Association wants to improve its national team some changes must be made - they should give good players a passport to play for the country. I've asked around [if something like that exists here] but it has to come from higher authorities.
Getting more foreign players in the league will definitely improve its quality, but I don't know if it will improve the quality of the national team.
What are the main problems you've faced playing here?
Well the local players are not professional, so it's difficult to practice strategy with your teammates over a limited time because they have work and other commitments and it's difficult.
What do you have lined up next?
I head straight into the national team. I told them that I'd come here for a month and get back. So it's national team duty after this.
If you were asked, what advice would you like to give the UAE Volleyball Association?
Well it would be to get more foreign professionals... in the country. You've got to do that because that way you will get better and improve your ranking...
