Durban beach volleyball showpiece
The double gender world series event was launched at New Beach this week.
Hosted by Volleyball South Africa (VSA) and promoters Geness Consulting in partnership with the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, the international event will run from 11 to 15 December 2013 on Durban’s New Beach and will attract the best beach volleyball stars on the planet.
The launch was attended by Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula, Councillor Zandile Gumede of the Ethekwnin Metropolitan Municipality, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dr. Sam Ramsamy, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) Executive Committee member Ms Hajera Kajee and the President of Volleyball South Africa Mr Tubby Reddy.
“We expect record crowds at this event,” says Reddy. “Beach volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sporting codes in South Africa and internationally. Its popularity was confirmed at last year’s London Olympics when it made headline news worldwide and took its rightful place in the top 10 of the best Olympic moments on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) website. Nearly all the beach volleyball competitions at the Olympics were sold out and TV coverage of the matches received high ratings throughout the games.”
South African teams who finish at the top of the five-leg national circuit in both genders will automatically be entered in the international event. In the men’s section Grant Goldsmidt and Freedom Chiya as well Jerome Fredericks and Leo Williams are expected to qualify, while in the woman’s section Palesa Sekhonyana and Randy Williams together with Judith Augostides and Kirsten Pocock will be strong contenders. The final national leg is scheduled for 6-8 December at New Beach in Durban.
Dr. Sheena Geness of Geness Consulting concluded: “Beach Volleyball is more than about the game itself, it is a benchmark for sports events in terms of entertainment, fan engagement, sponsorship activation, music and hospitality. The event is expected to offer a stellar attraction to Durban and its visitors with record holiday crowds expected to experience the suspense, exhilaration, action, crowd participation and world-class sporting environment that the event will deliver- free of charge to spectators. ”
Established in 1992, Volleyball South Africa is the country’s first fully representative national volleyball federation, including both indoor and beach volleyball codes. SASCOC CEO Tubby Reddy is President of VSA.
(File Photo - Craig Dutton)
Story by Rox-ann Govender
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre @ECRSportswave