Grand Parade in Cape Town transformed into faux beach for World Volleyball event
Cape Town - The Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 will serve up the action in the city centre from Wednesday until Sunday.
The Grand Parade will be the arena for the tournament and has been transformed into a faux beach, with 353 tons of sand, on which 64 elite volleyball athletes will compete under the shadow of Table Mountain.
The city has staged three World Tour tournaments in the past – in 1995, 2004 and 2005 – and is poised to host this sporting event for the next five years.
Twenty-four nations are represented among the 56 teams, including the world champions, Norwegians Anders Mol and Christian Sørum, and Brazilians Eduarda “Duda” Lisboa and Ana Patricia Ramos.
One of the South African team members, Grant Goldschmidt, said they were excited that Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) had chosen Cape Town and would invest in the sport in the country.
He said the tournament was exciting as it would drive greater interest and support for beach volleyball in the country.
2 Oceans Academy CEO, Llewellyn Rhoda, said Volleyball World and FIVB would be investing in a legacy programme to develop the sport, including the involvement of local communities in the event.
Safety and Security mayoral committee member JP Smith said the City was excited to be the host for the event.
He said the Grand Parade was one of the most popular outdoor venues in the city and with its proximity to public transport, provided event organisers and event goers with a seamless experience pre-event, during and post-event.
“Cape Town is fast regaining ground as the leading events destination post-Covid-19, and this volleyball tournament is but the latest indicator of a return to winning ways,” he said.
Ticket prices are R100 for general access for 1 day, R200 for grandstand, and from R1 500 for VIP hospitality.
mthuthuzeli.ntseku@inl.co.za
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