Dubai: The Dubai Duty Free (DDF) hopes that its support as title sponsor for the 2015 FIVB Men’s U-23 World Championship will lead to the sport reclaiming at least a bit of its past glory.
The DDF confirmed their status as title sponsors for the second edition of the 12-team international to be held at Al Ahli and Al Nasr indoor halls from August 24-31. This is the first time that DDF is taking over as title sponsor for a volleyball competition. Salah Tahlak, DDF Senior Vice President-Corporate Communications, and a volleyball player himself with Al Nasr during his playing days, was keen to see the sport flourish once again.
“Hopefully, this new partnership with the UAE Volleyball Association (UAE VA) will help us. Growing up, volleyball played an important role as a social sport within our community. We had so many people from the Ruling family who used to join us during volleyball tournaments held especially during Ramadan. I hope we can go back to grassroots development and reclaim at least part of those glory days,” Tahlak told Gulf News.
“The best part of the sport is that it is a non-contact sport that can help develop so many values among youngsters. Volleyball also does not need too much of an investment, so the reach is much better as an activity as long as you have the court, a ball and a net. We are glad to assist in this development,” he added.
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman, DDF, said that he would like to see a popular sport like volleyball overtake its annual Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. “No competition can be a success without support from the fans, and hopefully we will have residents of the UAE coming and attending in large numbers,” McLoughlin said.
Champions of the inaugural edition in 2013, Brazil will be the first team to land in Dubai via San Francisco on Wednesday (today). Brazil will be joined by European champions Russia, Argentina, Mexico, Turkey and Tunisia in Pool B to be played at Al Ahli, while Pool A will consist of Italy, Egypt, South Korea, Cuba, Iran and hosts UAE.
On August 24, Russia will take on Tunisia at 12 noon to open the competition, while the UAE will be up against Asian champions Iran at 8.30 pm. While the pool matches will be held at Al Ahli and Al Nasr, the semi-finals and final will be held at Al Nasr. Entrance to general public is absolutely free.
