Clearwater to host Asian women’s beach volleyball

The preparations for the staging of the first Clark Centennial Cup Asian Women’s Beach Volleyball championship is in its finishing stages with officials declaring the site – Clearwater Country Club – in excellent shape.

Chito Narvasa, the former Philippine Basketball Association coach whose AYN Sports Management Group is handling the project, gave this assurance yesterday during the weekly PSA Forum sponsored by Agfa, Red Bull and Pioneer Insurance.

"We are ready to host this event, proud of the fact that we will be able to showcase the beauty of our country as well tell the world that all is well here," said Narvasa.

Narvasa appeared together with PAVA president Louie Gepuela, Asian Volleyball Confederation’s Tony Liao, Clearwater Country Club’s Bobby Hyndman and Clark Development Corporation manager Sonny Lopez.

The tournament has attracted a roster of 10 teams from six different countries, with regional powers Thailand and Indonesia joining the hunt for a chunk of the $10,000 purse.

And what a grand time for CDC and Clearwater to throw in their support as the field will be playing in a lot that is as breathtaking as it can be, located in an area inside Clearwater where it is surrounded by man-made lakes.

"We want to show our Asian neighbors that we have what it takes to organize and hold a huge tournament like this," Narvasa added. "And we are appreciative for being able to help tourism in the country while at the same time giving the sport of (beach) volleyball a boost."

Gepuela, on the other hand, told the Forum that the PAVA is indeed concentrating its efforts in helping the promotion of the sport of beach volleyball mainly because of the little logistics needed in maintaining a team compared to that of other team sports.

The Philippines will be fielding in two teams for the event, which will start on Wednesday next week. Two days will be alloted for the elimination round with the semifinals and the title game to be played on Friday.