UAE to become development hub for beach volleyball

UAE will become the hub for beach volleyball with the announcement by a top official of the Asian Volleyball Federation (AVF) that it has been confirmed as the venue for a Beach Volleyball Development Centre in the world.

Although there are many development centres for volleyball around the world, the international body governing the sport (FIVB) confirmed at its Congress held last month to have UAE as the base for future development of the beach sport, according to AVF president Dr Saleh Ahmed bin Nasser.

“This was one of the important decisions taken in Rome by the Congress,” said the AVF head underlining the growing importance of UAE and the region for beach volleyball.

“The aim of having a development centre for beach volleyball is to improve the standard of the sport by having courses for coaches and referees and even players,” said Essa Hamza Ahmed, Vice-President of the AVF speaking on the sidelines of the 12^th Rashid International Volleyball Tournament being held in Dubai.

Extending his full support to the UAE Volleyball Association (UAEVA) for the tournament and its future programmes, Dr Nasser noted that the standard of volleyball has improved in Asia. “It is no longer dominated by Japan or Korea, now Iran and Australia are a major force,” he said.

UAEVA president Amer Ali speaking to Emirates 24|7 said they have a two-phase plan for the proposed beach volleyball development. “We will have different tournaments and course for referees and coaches beginning with the GCC Beach Volleyball Championships to be held in Ajman this month,” he said.

The UAEVA hopes to get the support of Ibrahim Abdul Malik, general secretary of General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare who is a board member of AVF.

Or else, Ali aims to market the concept overseas to have a proper place and international centre for beach volleyball development.

Either way, Ajman is likely to be the new hub for beach volleyball in the world.