Focus on beach v’ball

By JACK AMI
THE Papua New Guinea Volleyball Federation is focused on gaining entry into international fixtures for beach volleyball this year.
Federation president Kila Dick is confident that under his watch, beach volleyball will undergo progressive growth in preparation for international events such as the Mini Pacific Games in Vanuatu, Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas, Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia next year.
“These events will be firsts in the history of PNG volleyball,” Dick said.
“It is a golden opportunity for PNG  beach volleyball.
“The great thing about these big games is they are happening during my term as the PNGVF president.
“I’m determined to ensure that the federation works hard for our Under-18 boys and girls, as well as our gold medal pair of Moha Mea and Richard Kila, to qualify for the Commonwealth Games.
“There is a huge task ahead, however, if we work hard we will achieve our dreams.
“The new executives are just putting together the pieces to form a solid foundation for beach volleyball to move forward. The code  has been given the thumbs up by the PNG Olympic Committee to participate in four international games.”
Dick said PNGVF did not waste time starting the junior beach volleyball competition in January after the official receiving endorsement.
“Since then, this competition has been getting stronger and more competitive.
“At the beginning, some of the players were still using indoor volleyball skills but have since improved and grown into the sport as they continue to play.”
The president said that the open beach volleyball competition  which started five weekends ago has attracted some interested players from the indoor competition.
“I have advised interested teams that trial matches would continue and once there are 10 or more teams we will start the season competition.”