Durban,
South Africa, October 28, 2013 – The ‘surf capital’ of Africa is anxiously
awaiting the best beach volleyball players on the planet to converge for the
double gender FIVB Beach Volleyball Durban Open, according to Sunil Geness, a
former KwaZulu-Natal Provincial volleyball player.
At
a launch event Monday, Geness said Durbin “waits with bated breath,” for the tournament,
scheduled to take place at New Beach from Dec. 11-15, 201.Volleyball
South Africa, along with tournament promoter Geness Consulting, rolled out the
red carpet for dignitaries from government, business, sporting macro structures
and the media, to celebrate the launch of the last FIVB beach volleyball
tournament of the year.“We
must ensure that Durban remains a star attraction city for global events," said
Councillor Zenzile, who expressed his delight and confidence that the tournament
will benefit the city.With
the support shown by the media at the launch, hordes of spectators will be
attracted to the city’s pristine shore line for the beach volleyball event, he
said.Dr. Sheena
Geness, who spoke on behalf of Geness Consulting, discussed key event
objectives, which included an overview of the event, marketing and
communication strategies, sustainability programmes, and the development of
beach volleyball – especially in disadvantaged communities.International
Olympic Committee Executive Board member, Dr. Sam Ramsamy praised the efforts of
Volleyball South Africa and Geness Consulting in securing the FIVB event for
South Africa – the only African country to host such an event.Ramsamy
also urged Volleyball South Africa President Tubby Reddy to encourage FIVB
President Dr. Ary Graça to attend the event, as his presence would bring more excitement
to the city.Also
in attendance were eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality Councillor, Mr.William Zenzile,
who represented the city Mayor, and Councillor James Nxumalo.The
Durban Open will wrap up the 2013 beach volleyball season, as the fifth and final double-gender Open
tournament for the year. It is the first time since 2006 that South
Africa has hosted an FIVB event. Durban organised an Open in 1996, while Cape
Town previously hosted an Open event in 1995 and then in 2004 and 2005. FIVB
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