World League in Mexico generates huge media interest

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, May 29, 2014 -"These are exciting times for Mexican volleyball," President of the Mexican Volleyball Federation Jesus Perales Navarro said at the official unveiling of the FIVB Volleyball World League 2014 to the local media at the state’s General Communications Department of the Government of Mexico City on Thursday.

Mexico will host Tunisia, Turkey and Cuba in the first round of Pool F action from June 6 to 8 in Mexico City and Mexico’s local media has generated great expectations for the tournament due to the fact that the national team captured a berth to the FIVB Men’s World Championship in Poland just this past weekend and that the World League is the most important annual event for the FIVB.

As Mexico competes for the first time in the World League, their journey begins at home, joined by other two World League debutants, Tunisia and Turkey, and by Cuba who finished in 13th place in last year’s edition, before traveling to Tunisia for the second round and potentially the Group Three finals in Turkey.

Mr Perales explained the planning for weekend's matches which will take place at the historical Sports Palace of Mexico City, a venue built for the Olympic Games of Mexico 1968.

“These are exciting times for our volleyball, we are part of the FIVB World Championship once again, and now we’re welcomed as one of the 28 World League participants” Mr Perales said. “Our national team benefits from international competition in our quest to be part of the best teams in the world and that is why we are betting all our efforts on the support of the local fans in a venue with the capacity to hold 10,000 spectators” he added.

During the press conference, Perales was joined by local sports authorities, Professor Horacio de la Vega, Director of the Institute of Sports in Mexico City “INDE”, Mexico coach Sergio Hernandez and players Tomas Aguilera, Pedro and Reynold Rangel.

Horacio de la Vega emphasised the importance of hosting the World League. “We are thrilled to welcome an elite tournament with the main goal to create a genuine interest for volleyball in Mexico, as we unite efforts with the FIVB in the expansion of this exciting sport”.