L-R: Dr Rafael Lloreda; Ms Gabrielle van Zwieten; Mr Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, FIVB First Executive Vice President; Mr Akira Sugenoya, Mayor of Matsumoto; Mr Roosevelt Comarazamy; and Dr Fernando Avila

Matsumoto, Japan, October 27, 2010 – FIVB First Executive Vice President, Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, as well as members of the Control Committee for the Matsumoto round of the 2010 FIVB Women's World Championship paid a courtesy visit to the Mayor of Matsumoto, Akira Sugenoya, on Wednesday.

The visit formed part of the agenda of activities for the Local Organising Committee, presided over by Akira Muzakami in preparation for the beginning of the World Championship in Matsumoto and other Japanese cities this Friday.

In attendance were Marte Hoffiz, president of the FIVB Control Committee, Kiyoshi Segi, president of Nagano Volleyball Association, and Osamu Saitoh, director of the Japan Volleyball Association. Additional members of the FIVB Control Committee also present at the meeting were Dr Rafael Lloreda, Gabrielle van Zwieten, Dr Fernando Avila and Roosevelt Comarazamy.

"I am very glad to receive all of you in the city of Matsumoto and I wish also a very successful tournament to all the participating teams," Mayor Sugenoya said. "I am looking forward to having some free time to attend some of the matches."

The Mayor was interested in the calibre of the teams playing in the Matsumoto round which features 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix champions USA and world No.6 Cuba. The other four teams are: Thailand (12), Germany (15), Kazakhstan (16) and Croatia (45).

"I also hope all members of the Control Committee and the teams can enjoy a pleasant stay while in Matsumoto," the Mayor added.

Marte Hoffiz took the opportunity to praise the hospitality of the people and members of the Local Organising Committee, lauding their efforts to host a successful event in Matsumoto.

"On behalf of the FIVB and its President, Mr. Jizhong Wei, I must say that we are delighted to be here and we really appreciate this kind of reception from the Mayor of the City," Marte Hoffiz said.

"We are bringing sport and entertainment to this city and a good example for the young people to follow. And in the FIVB family we know about your efforts to host this first round of the Women’s World Championship in this wonderful city."

The General Technical Meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday at 5pm at Hotel Buena Vista followed by a press conference with the coaches of the six teams.