(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA), which is hosting the Men's FIVB Qatar Beach Volleyball Open for the first time, has kick started their campaign to secure rights to host the FIVB Beach Grand Slam, it was revealed here yesterday.
Addressing a press conference on the first day of the Qatar Beach Volleyball Open which started here yesterday at the Al Gharafa Stadium beach courts, Mohammed Ali Al Mohannadi, General Secretary, QVA said: "We are have won the rights to host the FIVB Qatar Beach Volleyball Open for the next three years."
"We are planning to host the Grand Slam next year or in 2016 depending on the green signal from the FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball)," added the QVA official.
Meanwhile, Qatar's beach courts at Al Gharafa Stadium came in for praise from FIVB Technical Supervisor Joep Van Lersel. "Qatar can host the bigger championships. They have all facilities and perfect one for big events. I am impressed by what I saw here. The facilities at Al Gharafa Stadium are top class. The beach courts at Al Gharafa are excellent," said Lersel while talking to reporters.
The FIVB official said the Grand Slam is a double gender championship and the world governing body is not rigid on the way women players dress for the event and are ready to adjust considering the local sensibilities of the Middle East.
"We are not strict on the way players dress during the game. We have passed the stage in 2003 in Japan. I was a referee and countries like Egypt and Algeria took part in the championship. Two years back FIVB decided playing is more important than the outfit. FIVB has accepted the religious sentiments of people have accordingly made the adjustments," added Lersel.
"If we take the example of players from my own country you will find that women and men players play beach volleyball fully covered. The reason for that is the cold weather."
Lersel said wearing a full length dress as compared to two piece beach suits will not in any way affect the player's performance or add to their discomfort.
"Many players have done it in the past (wearing a full length dress) at international championship and countries from Muslim countries have played in the beach championship. FIVB is open to suggestions," he added.
Lersel said most of the beach volleyball events in recent years have been held on artificial beach courts. He suggested that Qatar should follow the example of other countries and host championships which are close to city.
"If you look at the recent venues, only a few championships have been held at natural beaches. The trend is to host championships in the central areas of the city or in locations which will ensure full stadiums throughout the day.
"The 2015 World Championships which will be held in the Netherlands and all the four venues will have one stadium in areas which are busy throughout the day and night."
Larsel said the 2015 Grand Slam will be a crucial one for many players as they will aim to pick points for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
"The 2015 Grand Slam will be important. Four teams from each continent will earn the right to participate in the Grand Slam. With a year away from the Rio Games the Grand Slam will be important for the players to qualify for the Games," said Larsel.
The FIVB official said the level of volleyball in the region on a upward swing. "The level of beach volleyball is increasing all over the world and more and more people are playing beach volleyball, including the Middle East region and hosting championship of this nature like the Qatar Open increases the level of participation of children in the game," he added.
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