Manila, Philippines, August 7, 2017 – Philippines has geared up for the preparation tasks ahead of the Wednesday’s commencement of the SMM 19th Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship, which attracted a strong field of 14 teams from every nook and cranny of Asia including reigning and 13-time champions China and debutantes Maldives to strut their stuffs for the prestigious crown.
It’s not the first time that the Asia’s top-notch competition is held in the country as the Philippines has already proved to have high-potential experiences in hosting top-tier competitions a couple years ago including the last year’s Asian Women’s Club Championship and the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship the same year. The significant successes of those major tournaments hosted by the Philippines resulted in the complete satisfaction of all participating teams.
To maintain their continuing support for AVC activities in line with the Asia’s volleyball-governing body’s determined efforts of thoroughly promoting volleyball in the region, the Philippines will host the 19th edition of the SMM Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship from August 9 to 17. Due to a large number of teams participating, two competition venues have been provided for use during the nine-day event. The Alonte Sports Arena with a capacity of 6,500 seaters will serve as the main hall and the Muntinlupa Sports Complex with 3,000 seating capacity the second competition venue.
Participating teams are Kazakhstan, Hong Kong and hosts Philippines in Pool A, with powerhouses China, former two-time Asian winners Japan and Australia in Pool B. Pool C comprises Korea, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, while Pool D consists of the 2009 and 2013 Asian champions Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Iran and Maldives, the team which are competing in the Asian meet for the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1975 in Melbourne, Australia. Actually, Maldives had already submitted their entry for the 2009 Asian meet in Hanoi, Vietnam, but for some reasons, they withdrew from the competition ahead of the official start of the tournament.
In the opening day, Korea, runners-up at the recent FIVB World Grand Prix Group 2, will open their Asian Championship campaign in the Philippines against New Zealand at the Alonte Sports Arena. With prolific Kim Keon-Young at the helm, Korea are seeking their opportunity to capture their maiden victory in tournament, first time in 42 years that they have never landed the Asian title since their first appearance in Melbourne, Australia in 1975 when they finished second to Japan.
In the other encounters on the very first day of the competition, Chinese Taipei challenge Iran, Thailand play Maldives and Japan take on Australia. Hosts Philippines and Hong Kong will play the curtain-raisers shortly after the Opening Ceremony, with Sri Lanka pitted against Vietnam.
All 14 participating teams have already arrived in Manila on Monday and checked in at Crimson Hotel, the hotel provided for officials and all teams participating in the championship, while some teams including Kazakhstan started their training the following day upon their arrivals on Sunday.
The first joint meeting between members of the Control Committee members including Technical Delegate Mr Shanrit Wongprasert and the Organising Committee was held on Monday morning at the Alonte VIP Lounge, followed by the inspection to the training and competition venues.
In the first inspection on Monday, both competition halls are in the decoration process with the installation of banners of AVC sponsors and supporters, the setup of tables and chairs for officials and working spacing for journalists and officials. However, the strength of the internet could not be properly checked since the internet signals have yet been connected. Competition Director Mr Benson Bocboc confirmed that all requests will be arranged promptly to ensure the start of the tournament on Wednesday a smooth run.
The final inspection was made the following day and it was found that everything has been put to the right place to mark the hosts’ readiness for hosting the 19th Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship.
The Referee Clinic was held theoretically and practically at the Alonte Sports Arena on Tuesday to make sure the referees are ready to officiate the top-flight competition.
POOL COMPOSITION
POOL A: Philippines, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong
POOL B: China, Japan, Australia
POOL C: Korea, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, New Zealand
POOL D: Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Iran, Maldives
MATCH SCHEDULE
Preliminary round
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
At Alonte Sports Arena
12.30pm: Korea v New Zealand
15.00pm: Thailand v Maldives
18.00pm: Philippines v Hong Kong
At Muntinlupa Sports Complex
12.30pm: Chinese Taipei v Iran
15.00pm: Japan v Australia
18.00pm:; Vietnam v Sri Lanka
Thursday, August 10, 2017
At Alonte Sports Arena
12.30pm: China v Japan
15.00pm: Thailand v Iran
18.00pm: Kazakhstan v Hong Kong
At Muntinlupa Sports Complex
12.30pm: Maldives v Chinese Taipei
15.00pm; Korea v Sri Lanka
18.00pm: New Zealand v Vietnam
Friday, August 11, 2017
At Alonte Sports Arena
12.30pm: Korea v Vietnam
15.00pm: Thailand v Chinese Taipei
18.00pm: Philippines v Kazakhstan
At Muntinlupa Sports Complex
12.30pm: Iran v Maldives
15.00pm: Australia v China
18.00pm: Sri Lanka v New Zealand
Related links of AVC
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/
AVC Twitter: click: https://twitter.com/avcvolley
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation