Development plans to be expanded in 2014 and beyond

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, February 12, 2014 - A vast program that aims to popularize the sport of volleyball and beach volleyball throughout the NORCECA region was presented on Tuesday at the annual meeting of the Development Commission.

The program is based on the increase of participation of all national teams in NORCECA tournaments, development of human resources of the National Federations and introduction of the sport to the young generation and enhancing the technical level of the teams and individual players.

Mushatque Mohammed, President of the Commission, informed that in the past three years 242 courses and seminars have been organized –including 96 in the AFECAVOL region and 75 and 71 in CAZOVA and ECVA zones, respectively.

Mohammed, who praised the support received from FIVB President Dr. Ary Graca and NORCECA President Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, said expert coaches worked for periods of one month in different countries in 2013.

The countries that benefitted from this assistance were: Aruba, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Jamaica and US Virgin Islands in CAZOVA, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama in AFECAVOL, and Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Dutch St Marteen, French St Martin, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent & Grenadines in ECVA.

He commented also on the opportunities given to the different zones to qualify beach volleyball teams to the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. Duos from National Federations Category I Guatemala (boys and girls), Jamaica and St Vincent and Grenadines (boys) and St Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago (girls) qualified through the different zonal tournaments.

Mohammed also highlighted the donation of Sport Court playing surfaces which started in 2010 will continue this year.

He also presented the general objectives and goals which include: a) organization of seminars and courses, b) permanent beach coaches, c) more coaching instructors, d) support for hosts of youth and junior events, e) continue with support to beach teams, f) financial support for zonal champions, g) seminars of school volleyball in each zone, h) management & administration courses and i) continue with distribution of equipment and playing surfaces.