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No 112 March 2003 English edition FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE VOLLEYBALL New Height-Limited Competitions taking place in Brazil and Thailand Height Limit competition already underway in Brazil The Brazilian National Federation has proved to be a trail- blazer when it comes to staging height limit tournaments exclusively for players under a certain height. The first competition was already underway in 1998 in Minas Gerais, four years before the concept received the FIVB's official blessing as a new disci- pline at the 2002 World Congress in Argentina. Alberto Mesquita Grandhi who coordi- nates the project for the National Federa- tion said it all came about over an infor- mal chat. "The idea started with an infor- mal chat among masters players in the America Football Club," Grandhi said. " We were talking about the tough time that shorter players have when they face taller teams." At 1.62 meters libero Cardullo Paola from Italy would qualify Asia Height-Limited Competition world championships in this new cate- Grandhi was later convinced by a friend to be held in Thailand gory was welcomed by the Congress. A to work on a concept for a competition tentative date has been set for 2005. and this has now grown into a fully A height-limited competition for Asian fledged tournament, which this year has women players will be held in Thailand The new discipline is seen as a way of the participation of eight men's and six late June, 2003 in accordance with a deci- bringing top-level volleyball competi- women's teams, who contest 32 matches. sion at the Sports Organizing Commit- tions to skilled players of average height, Mr. Ary Graça, President of the Brazilian tee (SOC) of the Asian Volleyball Associ- many of whom are prevented from com- Volleyball Confederation, is understand- ation (AVC). peting at the world level now that the ably proud of the results. game tends to favor very tall players. Mr. Shanrit Wongpraset, Chairman of According to statistics, about 97% of the "This championship has been a big AVC SOC, discussed with SOC mem- six billion world population grow no success in Brazil and it has been bers and reached the decision to hold the taller than 1.85 meters for men and 1.75 attracting a lot of investments," Mr competition at the SOC meeting in Feb- meters for women. Graça said. "Besides that, it has ruary. He said that the tournament will be held from June 24-30, 2003 in the Thus the creation of a second category of been touching a lot of potential play- Southern city of Pattani, Thailand. All players provides a real chance for these ers that are not so tall". affiliated Federations of AVC will be people to compete at a high level, while at invited to participate in the event, which the same time, spreading the popularity will serve as a test for this exciting new of Volleyball globally. It is not surprising that such a competi- category. tion can awaken interest among a huge Continued on page 2...... untapped group of players as demo- FIVB at its 2002 World Congress in graphic studies indicate that 95 percent of Buenos Aires approved its Board of the world's population are under (for Administration's proposal to create a women) 1.75cm and (for men) 1.85cm. new category of players based on a www.fivb.org/ Fabiana Oliveira, 1,69m, libero of the height limit of 1.85 meters for the men Brazilian Women's National Team has and 1.75 meters for the women. An offer For full calendar details (and much more also praised the project. by Mrs. Rita Subowo, President of the volleyball news) go to www.fivb.org Continued on page 2...... Indonesia Volleyball Association, for her country to be a candidate for the first Find out more at www.fivb.org VOLLEYBALL NEW HEIGHT-LIMITED COMPETITIONS 2003 Swatch-FIVB World Tour Calen- Continued from page 1....... dar, but as a gesture of solidarity to the Height Limit competition already Asia Height-Limited Competi players, the world governing body for underway in Brazil tion to be held in Thailand Beach Volleyball and Volleyball has decided to retain the originally allo- "This tournament will increase the num- Shorter players will never be denied the cated sum of Bonus Pool money, to be ber of volleyball players," she said, possibility to play at the highest level in distributed among the events. adding that it would also give players the the 'open' category, should they have the possibility to establish a strong playing skills to do so, but taller players would be career. exempted from the height-limited com- petitions. "Most of them give up the profession because the strong players are all so tall," the player commented. "All over the world shorter players only have the option of playing as liberos. Now I will also have the opportunity to attack", she concluded. For Antônio Rizola, MRV/Minas coach, the height limit competition is an impor- tant issue. "All this is really worth pursu- ing when everything is well organized and has the development of volleyball as the main goal. This is a chance for ex- players to continue their career and for At 1.72 Argentina’s Hernan Ferraro shorter ones to continue to play a high would qualify level volleyball. This is one more tool that increases the sport's practice,' he said. FIVB President Dr. Ruben Acosta said the creation of the new discipline "is not a The FIVB 2002 World Congress in question of blocking access to top-level Argentina unanimously agreed to competition for the taller players. Rather Excellent athletic performances at last introduce a new discipline for height it is a question of covering 97% of the year's Junior World Championships limited players. Congress delegates world's population to top-level volley- greeted the motion with great enthusi- ball". The FIVB President also appealed Calendar updates include the following to Continental Confederations and changes: Pending Events: · asm . National Associations to try out this new competition. Stavanger, Norway, Open July 1-6 : BEACH VOLLEYBALL this men's and women's open event is being renegotiated with a new pro- FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships U-21, moter after the original promoter was presented by Swatch, awarded to France declared bankrupt. South Africa: negotiations continue for The International Volleyball Federation annual Junior World Championships a women's open event, planned for has announced that the FIVB Beach the breeding ground for tomorrow's December 2003. Volleyball World Championships U-21, elite athletes and provides them with Other: Montreal, Canada, Open (dou- presented by Swatch, have been the perfect opportunity to pit them- ble gender) - organizers did not confirm awarded to France. The championship selves against their peers in top quality their participation for the 2003 calendar thus returns to its spiritual homeland, competition," said FIVB President, Dr. within the agreed regulation deadline. where the inaugural Junior World Rubén Acosta. Championship was held in August "We live in turbulent times, with many 2001. The competition will be open to 24 things on the geopolitical and economic teams of each gender (total of 48 teams), fronts," Angelo Squeo, FIVB Beach Vol- The event is to be staged in cooperation and comprise one day of qualification leyball Coordinator said. "However we with promoter Goëlo Côtes d'Armor at and four main draw days of competi- remain fully committed to staging the Saint Quay Portrieux, France at a venue tion. Negotiations are also very best possible calendar of events for the on Plage du Casino (August 6-10) & advanced for allocating the FIVB World Swatch-FIVB World Tour, to focusing will be presented by Swatch, the Championships U-18, with Thailand on quality events, worldwide exposure world's leading watch and timing spe- being the leading contender and the and on providing the best opportunities cialists who are now the official title most outstanding candidate for this for our professional athletes. sponsor of the Swatch-FIVB World event. Tour. Swatch-FIVB World Tour Calendar Junior World Championships offer Update www.fivb.org/ great competition Due to the current geopolitical and eco- "We are particularly happy to announce nomic world crisis, the FIVB has been For full calendar details (and much more this important event, as we consider our forced to make some adjustments to the volleyball news) go to www.fivb.org 2 FIVB X-Press No 112 March 2003 FIVB VOLLEYBALL Spain’s Pascual returns to the World League after a year’s WORLD LEAGUE - FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH absence Rafael Pascual The $15 Million World the First National Olympiad. Three of (Pascual), who League continues to blaze them - middle-blocker Darien Ferrer and returns to World a trail as the richest and wing-spikers Osmani Juantorena and League after a most significant annual Charles Vinent - crack the lofty 2-meter year's absence, is international men's Vol- mark & they are between 17-19 years old. the most out- leyball tournament. It pits standing new the top 16 teams in the world against each The Cuban team has scheduled a series of addition to the other during six gripping weeks of the warm-up contests between April and 18-man squad Intercontinental Rounds, in 2003 culmi- May against Greece and Portugal. Pic: named by Spain's nating in the final tournament of the Lofty and youthful Yosleider Cala national coach "Elite Eight" in the Spanish capital (2.02cm and 18 years) poised for action. Francisco Hervás to prepare for the 2003 Madrid. Marko Klok back in Dutch World League.