Dr. Leonel Fernandez, President of the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic. January 19 2005,-The Dominican Republic Government announced today its full support to the celebration in Santo Domingo of the IV Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup, a qualifier for next year World Grand Prix.

The event is scheduled to be staged on June 8-19  and is the annual premier women’s competition of the North Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA).

Felipe Payano, the Dominican Minister for Sports, Physical Education and Recreation made the announcement during a Press Conference held immediately after a Government Council of Ministers led by Dr. Leonel Fernandez, President of the Dominican Republic, at the National Palace.

Payano said that during that meeting of the top authorities of the country it was decided the government will support three main events for this year: The Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup in June, Las Americas Basketball Tournament in August and the National Sports Games in December.

The news was received with joy by the directors of the Dominican Volleyball Federation presided by Mr. Ramon Alexis Garcia.

“The Women’s Pan American Cup is a great event which gathers the top countries of the American Continent who are among the best ranked in the world,” said Garcia. “The superior quality of the teams guarantees a top notch competition and we hope to obtain the endorsement from all the countries affiliated to Norceca.”

“I think that we deserve the chance to organize that kind of tournament that will contribute to enhance the practice of volleyball in our country,” Garcia added.

Twelve teams from America participate in the Women’s Pan American Cup whose three previous editions took place in Mexico, also a candidate country for this year. Those teams are: Cuba, USA, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, Barbados and Costa Rica.

The top three ranked teams from the NORCECA and the best ranked from South America earn tickets for the 2006 World Grand Prix, the top annual women’s competition of the FIVB.

Cuba won the 2004 event held in Baja California, Mexico with USA and Dominican Republic in second and third places. Brazil finished fourth and also qualified for the 2005 WGP.