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2001 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
 
 
 

UNDER 21 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
 

Contact FIVB Press Delegate Arjen Meijer onsite:
Phone: +39 338 4706117.
E mail: arjen.meijer@freeler.nl

Lausanne, Switzerland, February 19, 2002 - Italy has been chosen to host the Men’s and Women’s 2002 FIVB Beach Volleyball under-21 World Championships this summer, senior officials of the sport’s governing body announced on Tuesday.

“These events are perfect for grooming future champions for the Beach Volleyball World Tour and we are very excited about this announcement,” said FIVB Beach Volleyball Coordinator, Angelo Squeo. “We want to give young players from all over the world a chance to compete at international level, and to offer them the chance to win a wild card entry into the World Tour.”

The under-21 championships  Men & Women are to be held at Catania, on the northern coast of Sicily from 10 – 14 July 2002. 

 “We are delighted and proud to be hosting the event. It is the first ever volleyball world championship to be awarded to Sicily,’ said Renato Arena, President of the regional Volleyball association in Sicily.
After the overwhelming success of the first under-21 Beach Volleyball World Championships at Le Lavandou, France, last year, the FIVB decided that staging annual Junior World Championships was the most effective way of encouraging the next generation of players. The four winning teams - men’s and women’s teams from each championship - will be awarded all expenses paid, wild card entries to compete in one of the 2002 Beach Volleyball World Tour events. 
 “Beach Volleyball is gathering popularity in many parts of the world and we want these important junior world championships to reflect that international flavor,” Squeo said, adding that the FIVB encouraged participation by players from all five continents. 
The main draw will feature six pools of four teams (24 teams) playing a round robin format.  The top two teams from each pool, plus the best four ranked third-placed teams (16 teams) will then play a single elimination final phase to determine the World Champions.


The first ever U21 World Championships in Le Lavandou, France was a Brazilian and family triumph. Brazilian pairing of Sigoli-Cunha won the men's Under-21 World Championship, with Shaylyn-Salgado Rufino the women's Under-21 World Championship. Shaylyn Bruno is the sister dual-senior world champion, Shelda Bruno.

 
Step by step Mozambique is improving in Beach Volleyball

It will be no surprise when Mozambique becomes one of the regular contenders in World Tour Beach Volleyball events in the near future. The African country has greatly improved in recent years and some teams are already competing at the international level. 
At the Under-21 World Beach Volleyball Championships, Mozambique is present with both a men's and women's team. Guilhermina Cossa and Sifa Quitende form the women's squad of Mozambique, while Xisto Mira Conge and Manuel Francisco represent their nation's colors in the men's event. The two teams are under the supervision of Camilo Antao, President of the Volleyball Federation of Mozambique and FIVB Board Member.
Antao is proud that Mozambique is able to participate at a top-level event like the Under-21 World Beach Volleyball Championships. 'After soccer, beach volleyball is the second sport in my country', Antao said. 'We started about eight years ago, thanks to the support of the FIVB. We were able to host some Brazilian players like Ricardo, who gave clinics in Mozambique.
The inhabitants of the African country immediately adopted the beach volleyball sport. 'Every weekend, there is a competition in the capital Maputo. Step by step, the level improved. We started out of nothing and right now we even have sponsors. Because of the help of companies like Coca-Cola and Mozal, we are able to organize a lot of beach volleyball events.' On Maputo beach, there are eight courts where beach volleyball players of all ages hold their tournaments. At least 250 players are taking part, and that is not all, because at the same time park volleyball is being promoted. Said Antao, 'We have park volleyball teams of the police and the army playing in our events.'
The beach volleyball situation in Mozambique is improving because the National Federation is organizing a national beach volleyball circuit. 'Right now, we have three excellent locations for these events', Antao stated. 'The National Federation is organizing these events in cooperation with the regional committees.'
The government of Mozambique is pleased with the beach volleyball initiatives. Antao was recently elected as a member of the national Olympic committee in his country. 'The President and the Prime Minister of my country are present every weekend to watch the beach volleyball events', Antao said.
For the second time, a men's team from Mozambique is present during the Under-21 World Beach Volleyball Championships. The women's squad this year is making its debut at a world event. 'The next step is to make a good program for the players, so they can participate in more international events and get more training. Here in Catania we are learning a lot. In the future I hope we will be able to host a World Tour event in Mozambique, while our ultimate dream is to one day compete in the Olympics.'