Abu Dhabi: Leading women volleyball teams from Italy, Russia, Cuba, US, Holland, Australia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Algeria and the UAE will take part in the First International Women Volleyball Championship, held at Al Jazira indoor stadium from May 21-28.
Italy, the World Women Volleyball champions for 2007 will be the favourites to win the championship, held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Minister of Presidential Affairs and the President of Al Jazira Club, which offers $1 million (Dh3.6 million) in prize money.
It offers $300,000 for first place, $200,000 for the runners up, $100,000 for third place and there are cash prizes for all the ten participants.
Improvement
Major General, Mohammad Hilal Al Kaabi, the Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, said that "the championship is one of the sport events organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in their quest to improve and spread the game among local women. The draw of the tournament will be held on May 21 and the opening match will be between the hosts, UAE and a team from the visitors," Al Kaabi said.
