Sports lovers in Macau are in for a very special treat this summer, as four strong women’s volleyball teams are headed to the territory to fight it out for a place in the Volleyball World Grand Prix grand finale in Tokyo, Japan.
FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Macau 2014 presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group, will see China, Japan, Korea and Serbia compete at Macau Forum between August 15 and 17.
Ms. Christine Lam, Head of Macau Sport Development Board of the Macau SAR Government, is excited about the forthcoming competition.
“This year we will have three Asian countries taking part out of the four involved – China, Korea and Japan.”
It is the rare combination of so many Asian teams that makes the 2014 competition particularly interesting.
“In the past we had a maximum of one or two Asian teams, and I believe this is the first time in Macau that we have three Asian countries’ national teams in the same week.”
“There are quite a number of fans for our China team expected, and of course there are a lot of Korean people here and Japanese as well, so I think the spectators can expect a very exciting competition,” adds Ms. Lam.
Organizers are also anticipating spectators from abroad.
“The internet sales have been encouraging, so we expect that there will be quite a number of spectators from the neighbouring areas to come to Macau for that weekend.”
A record-breaking 28 teams are participating in the 2014 Volleyball World Grand Prix that commenced on July 25. The World Grand Prix is the premiere women’s volleyball tournament formed by FIVB, with the 28 teams split into three divisions based on world rankings.
The top 12 ranking nations compete in Division 1 and include: 2012 Olympic Gold medallists Brazil, The United States, Japan, Italy, China, Russia, Serbia, Dominican Republic, Germany, South Korea, Turkey and Thailand.
The teams will play each other via Pools (A – I) consisting of four countries, for three weeks in various host countries.
China, with top hitter Ting Zhu and head coach, 1984 Olympic Gold medallist Lang Ping, hopes to best last year’s finish, when they placed second, behind nine-time Grand Prix winners Brazil. China is currently ranked No. 5 by the FIVB.
A highlight of the competition in Macau will be the match between China and Japan, according to Ms. Lam.
“The last match on Sunday August 17 between China and Japan has been chosen as ‘Match of the Week’ by FIVB, out of all the games happening in different countries that week.”
Is volleyball something that is growing in Macau? Ms. Lam believes so, and is confident that with the good work being done by organizing partner the Volleyball Association of Macao, its growth is assured in the territory.
This event is an important highlight on the local annual sporting calendar and it is hoped that its popularity can help promote volleyball in Macau.
Enticing youngsters into the world of this sport is high on the list for organizers, and great efforts are being made to attract students.
“We will organize a series of activities, including a roadshow in Leal Senado Square to promote the event to all the citizens of Macau and tourists, and we are also trying to organize some activities for young volleyball players, to have an exchange with the players and to give them the opportunity to play volleyball with the Chinese team.”
And to further encourage spectators to more proactively participate in the matches, there will again be a public vote for the most favourite player (MFP). Perhaps not surprisingly, over the previous five years, the MFP award has always been awarded to players from the Chinese team.
Venue: Macau Forum
Date: 15 to 17 August 2014
