Mohammed lauds Curacao federation for great effort

WILLEMSTED, CURACAO, December1: The Curacao Volleyball Federation and its president Eric Ogenia came in for high praise by Mushtaque Mohammed for its hosting of the final first round, NORCECA qualifiers for the 2014 FIVB World Championships in Poland.

Host Curacao will entertain, Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) champions Bahamas, fourth ranked Jamaica, and seventh ranked in CAZOVA Martinique over two days of competition at the International School of Curacao, at the end of which the top three teams will advance to the second round of the World Championship qualifiers which resumes next March.

Speaking at the opening on Saturday afternoon, Mohammed, president of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association and Head of the Control Committee for the Group A qualifiers in Willemsted noted that this was the final group tournament of eight in the first round and they were happy to have the newly crowned CAZOVA champions, Bahamas here.

"All the teams are worthy of qualifying for the second round but only the top three will advance.

He added "I am proud and pleased for the effort made by Curacao Volleyball Federation president Eric Ogenia and the members of his organization.

Mohammed also applauded the support staff provided for the two day event

“We have an excellent team of volunteers who are making a significant contribution towards the success of this event as the World Championship Qualification Tournament is serving as an evaluation of the NORCECA Developmental plan and to date we have seen excellent results in the progress of teams through the region," ended Mohammed.

Ogenia in his brief address welcomed all the participating teams to Curacao and noted the hosting of the event was all part of the country’s developmental plan for the sport of volleyball.

At the official tournament opening, FIVB Instructor, Ramiro Hart also took the first serve to get the tournament off and running.