World class v-ball in spotlight

The NORCECA Volleyball Continental Championship, which has attracted five women’s teams who are in the top 20 in the world has been two years in the making and its staging in Trinidad and Tobago is expected to greatly enhace our reputation on the international stage.

Defending champions the United States are overwhelming favourites to retain their crown but are expected to face stiff competition from Cuba, the Olympic bronze medallists who last weekend qualified for next year’s World Championships in Japan.

Also expected to make a strong showing are the Dominican Republic, the reigning Pan American Games title-holders along with Puerto Rico who have also booked their tickets for the World Championships.

The other teams in the tournament starting today and ending on Sunday are Caribbean champions Barbados, Mexico, Canada and hosts Trinidad and Tobago.

The NORCECA (North, Central American and Caribbean) Championships will be contested in two groups — Group "A" comprise Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago while in Group "B" are Cuba, Mexico, USA and Canada.

Winners of the tournament will earn a place in the Grand Champions Cup to be staged in Japan in November when the top six continental title-holders will bid for US$1 in prize money.

Yesterday Mushtaque Mohammed, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation and chairman of the NORCECA Organising Committee said everything was in place for a successful tournament.

"All the participants who are here already are pleased with the arrangements. They have expressed satisfaction with the food, accommodation and the venue for the championships which we have recently resurfaced at a cost of $100,000," said Mohammed.

He said sports fans in general and volleyball fans in particular can expected a high level of competition and exciting matches.

Saleem Ali, assistant coach of the Trinidad and Tobago team said his players are relatively young and do not have the experience of their opponents.

Trinidad and Tobago open their campaign tonight after the official opening ceremony at 7 pm against Puerto Rico, ranked 18th in the world.

"Our aim is to beat Barbados, the Caribbean champions and finish in the top six in the region which will give us an automatic berth in the Pan American Games," said Ali, whose father Macsood is the coach of the team.

Trinidad and Tobago’s ability to put up a good showing against the region’s power houses has been enhanced with the return of three top players who are attending universities in the United States.

Kelly-Anne Billingy, the Caribbean’s best striker is captain of the team which also includes Ayana Dyette and Chantal Bodkin-Clarke who are also based in the United States and have returned home for the tournament.

Ali said that the visitors have a great advantage since they play consistently at a high level and are coming out two big tournaments.

He pointed out that Trinidad and Tobago’s women only get the opportunity to play at the regional level every two years.

However he is optimistic that the team which only has three senior volleyballers will learn a lot from the experience which will help them develop into top class players.

Winners of the groups will qualify for the semi-finals while the second and third placed teams will contest the quarter-finals.

Trinidad and Tobago team: Kelly-Anne Billingy (captain), Darlene Ramdin (vice-captain), Karen Moses, Ranele Forde, Ayana Ferret, Taila de Souza, Kervelle Redhead, Darsel Springer, Ayana Dyette, Kemba Noel-London, Carleen Williams, Shantal Bodkin-Clarke.

Today’s matches: Cuba vs Mexico (1pm); Dominican Republic vs Barbados (3 pm); USA vs Canada (5 pm); TT vs Puerto Rico (9 pm).