Maldives actively promotes beach volleyball

Monday, August 24th, 2009

bvolleyVolleyball Association of Maldives in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Male’ Municipality has built a new Beach Volleyball Court — Dhongandu Beach Volleyball Court Male, which was officially inaugurated earlier so as to develop the beach volleyball in the country.

This is the first such court to be built in Maldives. Husen Mohamed, General Secretary of Maldives Volleyball Association, commented that this is one of VAM’s development programmes aiming to increase the popularity of Beach Volleyball and to widespread Beach Volleyball at the national level.

After the newly built court is put in use, Volleyball Association of Maldives organized immediately the first National Beach Volleyball Championship from August 9 to 15.

The tournament sponsored by Nestle MILO drew a good spectator attendance and media coverage in the local media, which drew 16 pairs in the open category and 24 players in the club category with more than 50 matches.

The competition is considered the implementation of the beach volleyball activity in the country and the “way forward” to establish regular national circuits.

Meanwhile, a beach volleyball referee’s refresher programme was organized in August 4 in Male’ under the supervision of VAM Referees Commission for the National Championship.

All available active volleyball referees participated in this Refresher Programme, which was directed by International Beach Volleyball Referee Ibrahim Nazeem.

In order to make the beach volleyball to have a solid basis, the Maldives Volleyball Association has also organized a Beach Volleyball Grass Root programme supported by the World Volleyball governing body FIVB.

The programme was held at Youth and Sports Development Centre for theory sessions and at the newly built beach volleyball court in Male’ for practical classes. The main objective of the programme is to equip players, officials, and promoters with the necessary skills in beach volleyball.

This programme is the actual start of the activity of this volleyball category in Maldives. Beach volleyball is expected to emerge rapidly in Maldives in the coming few years as the members of the VAM will put their interest to develop this sport.

The plan of the Volleyball Association of Maldives is to develop a strategy for further promotion of beach volleyball in the Maldives.

Reader Comments

  1. I have no issues with promoting volleyball in the Maldives. However I have a serious issue, a concern shared by many in the city of Male’, over the disregard of those who gave the authority, and those who planned and constructed this concrete monstrosity we now call a volleyball court slammed right in the middle of raalhugandu.

    That area was the only place in Male where you could look over the horizon and not be distracted by some concrete structure. Now even that small bit of pleasure has been taken from us. The CONCRETE PERMANENT VOLLEYBALL COURT could have been built by asking the people where they would like such a structure to be built through a democratic process. SLAP BANG THERE IT IS POLICY DOES NOT WORK and I am grieved by the fact that this Government allowed it.Especially when we are talking about the lack of open spaces.

    Has anyone seen beach volleyball courts built like a stadium? No. it would be indoor volleyball not beach volleyball if it had concrete walls built. My only guess is this will lead to further disharmony within our population by allowing some of the public to view it, and others to stay out due to capacity shortages with the seating. I strongly protest, along with many others, against this concrete eye sore ruining the only beautiful view we have in Male’.

    Posted by Anon | August 25, 2009, 8:51 am

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