Peralta optimistic about NORCECA Qualifier to Tokyo 2020

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, December 9, 2019 – The Organizing Committee of the NORCECA Women’s Qualification Tournament Tokyo 2020 held a press conference to announce the progress attained toward the event to take place on January 10-12 with the participation of teams representing four countries, including the Dominican Republic.

One ticket to the Olympic Games will be up for grabs in the event also featuring teams representing Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Mr. Jose Ramón Peralta, Administrative Minister of the Presidency and chairman of the Organizing Committee, optimistically referred to different topics like tickets sale, security, transportation of fans and teams and the revamping of the Sports Palace.

“We are looking forward to have a sellout crowd for the three days of the competition with the home fans supporting our Queens of the Caribbean,” Peralta said. “The tickets are selling rapidly.”

Other members of the OC took turns during the meeting with the media at Il Capuccino restaurant located in the center of Santo Domingo.

Mr. Danilo Diaz, Minister of Sports and Recreation, announced the Sports Palace will be put to the disposal of the Organizing Committee from December 15 in order to prepare the facility with all the requirements of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

Mme. Ligia Bonetti, president of Dominican Industrial Society (SID), the main private sponsor, said the identification with the sport of volleyball, especially with the Queens of the Caribbean, is becoming a tradition of the company she presides over. She invited the Dominican fans to join the legions who support and cheer for the home side.

Mr. Luis Mejía Oviedo, president of the Dominican Republic Olympic Committee, said that for the Dominican delegation to Tokyo 2020 it shall be an honor to have the members of the volleyball team representing the Dominican women during the opening parade.

“We are expecting a tough battle in January and hopefully our girls will claim the ticket to the Olympics which is the ultimate goal of every athlete in the world,” Mejía said.

Olga Torres Perera, president of COCO & CO, the marketing company in charge of the logistics and commercialization of the event, opened the press conference explaining the qualification process to the Olympic Games.