Roi Et, Thailand, November 5, 2023 – The FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Course, hosted by Thailand Volleyball Association in collaboration with FIVB, is currently under way in Roi Et, with well-qualified 20 candidates attending a 3-day theory session between November 5 and 7 and acting as international referees in the 2023 FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championships in this northeastern province of Thailand from November 8 to 12.
Candidates attending the opening ceremony
The FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Course is held only once every 4 years, and upon successful completion of the course provides an opportunity for an international referee to become an FIVB Referee, category C. Only the referees that have excelled themselves at a continental level may be nominated for the FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Course.
In the opening ceremony
The best 20 candidates regardless of their continental affiliation shall be selected by the FIVB Rules of the Game & Refereeing Commission to take part in this FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Course.
Banjong
The opening ceremony of this course took place on Sunday at M Grand Hotel here, with Mayor of Roi Et Province Mr Banjong Kositjiranan and Mr Shanrit Wongprasert, Honorary Life Vice President and Executive Director of Asian Volleyball Confederation, jointly presiding.
Guests of honour in the opening ceremony
Also in attendance as guests of honor were AVC Referees Committee Chairman Mr Songsak Chareonpong, himself Member of the FIVB Rules of the Game and Refereeing Commission, AVC Beach Volleyball Department Director Mr Kritsada Panaseri, TVA Secretary General Mr Nattapong Kesapan, TVA Deputy Secretary General Mr Supot Chaibangyang and Mr Oguz Degirmenci from Turkey, Technical Delegate of the 2023 FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championships, of which the qualification is due to be held on November 7 to qualify four teams apiece in each men’s and women’s event to the 32-team main draw.
The course is conducted by three FIVB Instructors, all of them important figures in the FIVB Rules of the Game and Refereeing Commission featuring current Secretary (beach volleyball) Mr Jose Casanova from Portugal, Member Mr Alexander James Steel from Scotland, and Expert Mr Andre Trottier from Canada.
Shanrit
Alexander James Steel
Mr Banjong delivered an opening speech, while Mr Shanrit and Mr Alexander James Steel, who had served as President of the FIVB Rules of the Game Commission for 15 years, respectively gave welcome speech.
“Saying on behalf of President of the Thailand Volleyball Association, I would like to welcome all 20 candidates to the FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Course. With the excellent support from the association and host province Roi Et, I’m convinced that the course will be successful with all candidates learning important beach volleyball matters necessarily required for those who would like to become accomplished FIVB referees in the near future,” said Mr Shanrit, who was honored and presented with the 2023 Induction Class (Leader) by the International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) on October 21 in Holyoke, the United States of America.
Banjong presents souvenirs to all participants
After that, Mr Banjong presented panpipes, traditionally called Wot, local musical instrument and symbol of Roi Et Province, as souvenirs to all participants.
Following are 20 candidates attending the FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Course in Roi Et.
1. Takayuki Imaizumi (Japan)
2. Nguyen Thai Binh (Vietnam)
3. Jaturong Tongwat (Thailand)
4. Lerson Saolon (Thailand)
5. Robinson Tumwesigye (Uganda)
6. Enias Kenneth Kondo (Zimbabwe)
7. Omer Ali Mohamed Ahmed (Sudan)
8. Eliot Mupariwa (Zimbabwe)
9. Jamie Salvin (Scotland)
10. Ognyan Andonov (Bulgaria)
11. Eleni Trachalaki (Greece)
12. Selin Guclu (Turkey)
13. Hernan Jose Echenique Espinoza (Chile)
14. Murillo Bastos Junqueira (Brazil)
15. Rodrigo Alfonso Santacruz Davila (Uruguay)
16. Gilberto Alvarado Rivera (Mexico)
17. Simon Ouellet (Canada)
18. Magdalena Gleaves (USA)
19. Hannington Nsubuga (Uganda)
20. Diego Rodriguez Del Pozo (Spain)
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