Members of AFECAVOL meet with Cristobal Marte in Managua 2017

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, December 14, 2017. - On the occasion of the 2017 Managua Central American Games taking place from December 1-17, the seven members of the Association of Central American Volleyball Federations AFECAVOL, met with Cristobal Marte Hooffiz President of the NORCECA Confederation.

The meeting was held in one of the working offices at the Alexis Argüello sport complex in which several topics were discussed that will have to be decide during the AFECAVOL Ordinary Assembly in the month of January 2018.

First of all, Marte Hoffiz congratulated the Nicaraguan Volleyball Federation presided by Bertha Cuadra, for the organization of the best Central American Sports Games in the history of the Games and the legacy for volleyball in the region, leaving a permanent venue for beach volleyball.

In his opening remarks, Cristobal Marte said “with the eleventh edition of the Games, there is a difference between a before and an after Managua; the magnificent facilities and organization are an unprecedented event in Central America”.

Marte Hoffiz informed the members of AFECAVOL the new dispositions of the FIVB regarding the process of elections of the Confederations; in which these should extend their functions until the year 2020 to avoid duality in the Executive Committee and Board of Administration of the FIVB. In such case, the elections of each Confederation must be three months before the FIVB Congress in 2020.

As a result of this disposition, the Norceca Zonal Associations have to celebrate their congress no later than December 31, 2019, extending the mandate of their actual Executive Committee.

Another matter in discussion was the competitive level of the Central American area through a talent selection program that must be executed to present teams with higher performance. It is intended that the program should be developed over the next four years so that in the next edition of the Central American Games the competition will be better and with great level.

For 2018 the FIVB annual financial assistance for all zones will not continue,  but for the NORCECA Confederation Zones, the financial support will continue under the umbrella of Norceca, specially the necessary financial support for the development of all the Zonal Programs and National Federations category I and II.

Cristotbal Marte called to the attention of the seven Federations, the fact that they are not properly taking full advantage of the assistance that NORCECA provides for the organization of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour and that of the purchase of air tickets for one team per country to attend all the circuit; these must be requested three months in advance of each competition. Also the Norceca sponsorship and scholarships for the continental referees, coaches and special technical seminars will continue to be available for all National Federations, covering the registration fees, international travel cost, room & board.  

In addition, the countries that have not made the withdrawal of the sports equipment provided by NORCECA, should organize the logistics all together for a joint shipment.

NORCECA will supply two more Sport Court surfaces for El Salvador and Panama, who in the past four years did not receive this contribution; both must compete the corresponding administrative procedures.

The hosting countries were confirmed for international competitions in 2018; the U-23 Men's Pan American Cup will be held in Guatemala, the NORCECA U-20 Women's Continental Championship in Honduras and the NORCECA U-19 Men's Continental Championship in Costa Rica.

“It has been a very productive meeting with the seven representatives of AFECAVOL; I especially want to thank Mr. Felix Sabio of Honduras, who traveled to Managua specifically for this meeting. I am pleased that everyone's attendance is an acknowledgment of the efforts made by NORCECA” finished Marte Hoffiz.