Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand, February 29, 2016 - Teams participating in the double-gender AVC Asian U21 Beach Volleyball Championships, which will be held at Rim Ping Beach in Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand from March 1 to 3, attended the competition's General Technical Meeting on Monday at the Chakangrao Riverview Hotel in Kamphaeng Phet.
The top five teams in each gender will secure berths to
strut their stuff at the FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championships,
due to take place in Lucerne, Switzerland from May 11 to 16, 2016.
Thailand Volleyball Association Secretary General Jaksuwan Tocharoen presided over the meeting. Also in attendance were technical supervisor Kritsada Panaseri, referee delegate Indonesian Apelius Balebu, and media representatives.
Among the competition participants, hosts Thailand have fielded three teams in both the men's and women's competitions. Hong Kong and Australia have sent four teams apiece, with the former fielding three men's pairings and one women's team and the latter two each.
The other participating countries include China (two men's teams and one women's pair), Japan (1-1), Kazakhstan (2-0), New Zealand 0-2), Oman (2-0), Singapore (1-1) and Vanuatu (0-1).
During the meeting, Jaksuwan said, "On behalf of Somporn Chaibangyang, president of the Thailand Volleyball Association, I would like to express my gratitude to Kamphaeng Phet province for hosting this beach volleyball tournament, the Asian qualification round for the FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships to be held later in Switzerland.
"With kind support from both private and government sectors, I believe this event will be one of the biggest beach volleyball competitions to be held in Thailand this year. It will promote not only the action-packed sport, but also tourism in the province and Thailand alike.
"I wish Kamphaeng Phet a great success in hosting this prestigious competition and all participating teams good luck in making the cut for the world meet," he concluded.
The meeting was then followed by a drawing of lots ceremony.