V-ballers eye Beijing Olympics

THE Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation have set a target to have the men’s national team qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games. Mushtaque Mohammed, the TTVF president, outlined this objective when he delivered the opening address at a recent fund-raising dinner at the Hilton Trinidad in Port-of-Spain. “We cannot stay stagnant and let the waters get infested with lava, and so it is important for us to chart a course for the development of our future,” remarked Mohammed. “In so doing, we have developed a number of plans, leading up to the year 2008 goal of ‘Stars of the Future’ project.”

Mohammed noted the programme would be geared towards training young athletes, with the intention of qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games as one the five main targets. “In addition, the development of our beach volleyball capabilities to be able to host and participate in international events and also to focus on sports tourism,” he said. “The hosting of the 2006 World Championship qualification tournament next year, as well as the hosting of the Continental Championship for Women in September of 2006 and the continued developing of our coaches and our officials are also part of the ‘Stars of the Future’ project,” he said.

Mohammed stressed that in order to achieve those objectives the Federation need to strengthen their partnerships with the Government, sponsors, the media and other affiliates. “For without these players we can have the best plans, but will not be able to execute them,” said Mohammed, who is also president of the regional volleyball federation. He added: “We are constantly meeting with the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs officials and our relationship is genuine and strong. “The Government has granted incentives to sponsors who contribute to sport, that is 150 percent tax credit, and we hope that we can convince one or two major sponsors to take a bold step forward and adopt volleyball for a three-year period and realise your investment as our nations’ youth develop, deliver and do us proud,” Mohammed said.

“To date we have been successful and have contributed to the development of our national heroes,” said Mohammed. Mohammed sent out a challenge to the members of the Federation and dared them to reach higher. “The sport of volleyball has many positive aspects and we cater for the heroes who do not want to play traditional sport,” he said. “Volleyball is the alternative that has filled the void for so many of our nation’s youth and, therefore, we owe it to them to continue providing the necessary support.”