Manama, Bahrain, August 1, 2024 – Asian volleyball continues to grow and for the first time ever teams needed to play qualifying tournaments in their respective zones to compete in the 15th Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship in Bahrain.
Mr Yermek Syrlybayev of Kazakhstan, Control Committee President and Technical Delegate, revealed that several more nations wanted to compete in the event, organised by the Bahrain Volleyball Association in cooperation with the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), but only 16 places were available.
The championship is also a qualification competition for the FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship next year, and only four spots will be up for grabs.
Yermek commented: “This is a very important tournament. Many more teams wanted to participate but the AVC approved only 16 teams.
“Some of the teams played qualification tournaments in the different zones, like Kazakhstan and Pakistan. For the first time, teams must play in these events.
“Many federations are at a high level now and so are their teams. Year to year, the level of Asian volleyball has gone up.
“All the teams are fighting for the quota places in the World Championship; this is very good.
Yermek commended the BVA as hosts.
“Last time I was here was in 2023 for the Under-21 World Championship as Technical Delegate. I know that the Bahrain Federation has had more activities in the last two or three years and organised many events for the AVC and FIVB,” he said.
“I am very happy to come back, and everything is okay. The local staff have good international experience and have prepared a very good competition.
“I hope that together with the AVC, we have provided a very good tournament at a high level.”
Al Naama: Refereeing efficiency in Asian U18 Championship is praised
Referee Delegate in the 15th Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship Mr Ibrahim Al Naama from Qatar, explained that the level of officiating during the tournament’s preliminary round was at a good level, and no crucial refereeing decisions affected the final result of the 24 matches played so far.
He added that the use of the Challenge System with video replay technology has contributed to reducing the percentage of errors made by referees, which are of course unintentional. He praised the decision to utilise this technology in age-group tournaments at the continental level.
Al Naama pointed out that the championship is witnessing the participation of five referees nominated for the international badge. He said that they have presented good levels alongside their international colleagues, who have vast experience in their field.
He added that the Refereeing Committee of the tournament has not received any protest from any team regarding the officiating, and that the participants have all been cooperative in their games, which has contributed to the excellence in refereeing which is what everyone is aspiring to over the remainder of the tournament.
Regarding the cooperation of Bahraini referees with their international counterparts, Al Naama explained that the local committee has provided great services and facilities that have contributed to the smooth running of the championship, in line with the goals of the Supreme Organising Committee to provide all organisational requirements in all aspects.
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