Cups will contribute to Latin American volleyball

LIMA, Peru, June 14, 2011 – Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, First Executive Vice President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and President of NORCECA said the Pan American Cups in both genders in the minor categories will help the preparation of the Latin countries for the World Championships to be held this year, one of them to be held in this South American nation next month.

In a press conference with the main local media, Marte Hoffiz expressed his satisfaction because from now on, these events will be held on the years of the world championships “which will contribute to the development of volleyball in the continent, especially for those teams who can’t travel to Europe, and don’t achieve the expected performance which was frustrating for our countries.”

He said the needs of reaching a world championship in top shape and the exchange between Latin leaders helped the birth of the U-20 Pan American Cup at Lima from 16-21 of June, the Men’s U-21 at Panama City on June 21-27, and the U-18 and U-19 of each gender, respectively, at Tijuana and Mexicali, Mexico between July 3-16.

“These competitions will have even more relevance starting in 2013 because it will grant the chance of a berth to the Worlds as a second opportunity for those who don’t make it through the qualifying tournaments, the way it happened with the senior Pan American Cups, like the women’s which grants tickets to the Grand Prix and the men’s the option to reach the World League,” Marte Hoffiz said enthusiastically.

The best teams, according to the ranking, will take part in these four cups of the minor categories, three of  which will take place in this continent: The U-20 for ladies in Peru (July 22-31), the Men’s U-21 in Brazil (August 3-9) and the Boys’ U-19 in Argentina (August 19-28). Turkey will host the Girls’ U-18 on August 14-20.

Marte Hoffiz remarked that organizing with success these worlds not only will be a triumph for the areas of NORCECA and South America, united by the Pan American Union, “it is also a victory for Latin America.”

Meanwhile, Aldo Espejo and Cristian Bustos, representing Plaza Vea Super Market and Frecuencia Latina TV channel, agreed on expressing their satisfaction for supporting the Pan American Cup that starts on Thursday which contributes to Peruvian volleyball and represents joy for the people.

Juan Castro Romero, president of the Peruvian Federation, expressed his satisfaction for the support from the Callao Regional Government, where the Miguel Grau Gymnasium is located with a capacity of four thousand spectators for this competition animated by teams of Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Costa Rica El Salvador, Argentina, Venezuela and host Peru, and presented the book “One hundred years of Peruvian Volleyball” to one of its legendary players, the current coach Natalia Malaga.