Dubai to host Asian Volleyball Championship in September 2013
Our target will be to bring in at least 22 teams, UAE official says
Dubai: The Hamdan Bin Mohammad Sports Complex, which has already established its credentials as a world class swimming venue, will now play hosts to the 17th Asian Volleyball Championship in September 2013.
The competition was officially announced by Dr Ahmad Sa'ad Al Sharif, Secretary General, Dubai Sports Council, and Amer Ali, President, UAE Volleyball Association, at the DSC premises yesterday.
"Our target is to ensure we have the biggest numbers participating in this prestigious competition that will bring the best volleyball nations from Asia under one roof," asserted Amer Ali at the announcement.
The 1989 championship in Seoul, South Korea, had attracted the highest numbers with the participation of 19 countries, but the UAE plans to do one better at the newly built multi-discipline complex.
"Our target will be to bring in at least 22 teams, if not more, at this competition. Of course, as hosts we will have our challenge of doing well. However, I cannot say that we will have a team that is capable of winning the title, but at least we will have a much stronger team that is capable of competing against the best in Asia in two years' time," he promised.
Main focus
"On the other hand, the most important thing for us as organisers is to ensure the tournament succeeds and this will definitely be the main focus as everyone in Asia will be watching with interest," Amer Ali added.
Dr Sharif was pleased to have such a high-profile event being staged at the Hamdan Bin Mohammad Sports Complex. "This complex will be the most suited venue for a competition of this stature, and in due course, we will be fulfilling one of the core objectives of having such a multi-sports complex in Dubai," Dr Sharif said.
Asked about further challenges before him, Amer Ali reiterated that getting younger players into the national team is going to take much of the time during the next few months.
"We are debating youth category competitions over the next few months and hopefully, we will get a few youths coming into the national squad," he disclosed.
