TT begin healthy serving of volleyball

Making this pronouncement was Cristobal Marte, president of NORCECA, during the opening ceremony of the Flow National Volleyball Championships on Wednesday at the National Cycling Centre, Balmain, Couva .

Action in the 2017 Championships will be staged the National Cycling Centre but Marte said: “This would be a provisional home. We’re trying soon (for TTVF) to have their own home with five courts, where they could develop their skills in volleyball and where the national team is able to train.” He continued, “We (NORCECA) will provide that new venue, soon I hope, all the necessary equipment for volleyball to be at a world-class level.” Marte, a former Sports Minister in his native Dominican Republic, also announced a number of international tournaments which will be staged in Trinidad and Tobago this year, including the Girls Under-18 CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association) Championships, the FIVB (International Volleyball Federation)/ CAZOVA Men’s World Championship qualifiers, the Boys Under- 19 CAZOVA Championships and the Women’s NORCECA Continental Championships .

Those revelations forced Darryl Smith, Minister of Sport, to comment, “Christmas has come early for volleyball.” He commended sponsors Flow for their input in volleyball over the past few years and also urged the TTVF to do their part to continue the growth of the sport, even at the primary school level .

This year’s League will feature action in the A Division (Premier League), B Division, Super League and National Beach Volleyball .

And the participating teams this year are Glamorgan, University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), Technocrats, Zenith, Titans, Defence Force, West Side, Southern United Volleyball Academy, Vishnu Boys College, Central Warriors and Police .

TTVF president Nicole Selvon, in her address, said, “We would have the opportunity to evaluate and analyse the talent that we have here in Trinidad and Tobago .

We would have the opportunity to see what we have and to see what we have to work on.” And, in the sponsor’s address, Cindy-Ann Gatt, Flow’s Director of Marketing, noted, “Flow is heading into the third year of its partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation. We are ready and willing to work with you to ensure that the next stage of development for volleyball in Trinidad and Tobago involves more individuals being involved and even greater success for our national teams at all levels.” Also speaking at Wednesday’s ceremony was Adam Montserin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago .