MARGAO, MARCH 5 ? The Goa Volleyball Association in association with Sports Authority of Goa and Goa Tourism has set an ambitious target of decent performance in both men and women section when Goa host the Xth National Beach Volleyball Championship scheduled from March 7 to 9, at Colva Beach.
?Our first target is to qualify for first four places in both categories. The talent available in Goa is amazing and I am sure they will come into their own during the three day National Championship,? Irwin Soares, Organising President of Goa Volleyball Association told sports journalists today.
Last year women team comprising of Milagrina Mascrenhas and Lavina Menezes were the cynosure of all eyes, when the duo won the third place for Goa in Andhra Pradesh.
Despite all the bravado, it might not be all that easy though as traditional heavyweights State Bank of India, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are expected to call the shots.
?32 teams in Men and 20 in women are vying for the championship, the draw will be held on Thursday morning in the presence of all managers and teams,? disclosed Martin Sudhakar.
Host Goa will field four and three teams in men and women sections.
Players to watch are Pradeep John, P Mohan (SBI), Jamel (AP), Pinto, Dixson, Sunil Kumar, Sresh, Raj Kumar, Sarvanan, Sanjeev and Rama Murthy while Rosy and Hema (AP).
State Bank of India and Andhra Pradesh will defend the title in both men and women section.
Four special courts and two floodlit courts are constructed especially for the championship.
Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco will inaugurate the event on March 7 while Chief Minister Digamber Kamat will be the chief guest for the closing function.
Budgeted at Rs 12 lakh, the Goa Volleyball Association will receive a grant of Rs 5 lakh from the Sports Authority of Goa while Volleyball Federation of India will sanction Rs 50,000.
Among those present were Santosh Bandodkar, organising secretary; Alex Noronha, organising treasurer and Navin Acharya.