CHENNAI, India, March 29, 2005 – Cuba and USA will play in different pools during the 2005 U-21 Men’s World Championship to be held in the city of Visakhapatnam, India from 6 to 14 August.

The FIVB announced the Drawing of Lots during a ceremony that took place yesterday at the Grand Days Inn Hotel in Chennai. Cuba will play in Pool A made up by host India, Serbia & Montenegro, Russia, Cuba, Korea and Morocco and Pool B is composed of the Netherlands, Brazil, Germany, United States, Iran and Tunisia.

Mr.Katsumi Wakao conducted the ceremony representing the FIVB in the presence of Dr. Sivanthi Adityan, President of the Indian Volleyball Federation, Mr. Krishnan Murugan, General Secretary, Mr. Konathala Ramakirisna, Minister of Commercial Taxes, Mr. Inbathtamilan, Indian Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare and 180 other persons including guests, journalists and representatives of two main TV channels.

Dr. Rubén Acosta, FIVB President said: "I am very pleased to see that the ceremony went so smoothly, specially since this is the first time India organizes a World Championship. One of the FIVB goals is to develop and encourage the emerging Junior and Youth athletes and this event promises to be an exciting one."