The Belize Volleyball Association held a press release on Wednesday, September 14, 2016, to introduce its team that will be representing Belize in the FIVB Men’s World Championship Qualification Tournament. Earning a spot in the team is local Sanpedrano Gabriel ‘Gaby’ Nuñez, Jr. (front row, 2nd from left).
Belize will host six other teams who will face off in a round robin tournament. This tournament is the first stage in an international competition to earn a place in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships which, according to the BVA President, Allan Sharp, is the equivalent of the FIFA World Cup.
Cuban coach Delio Arruebarrena told the Belize City media that the team needs more international practice matches, but that their preparation has been very good. The team participated in the Copa Cancun and also the Under-23 Central American Championship which allowed the team to develop skills. Coach Arrueberrena has been with the Belize Team since since February of this year.
The tournament kicks off on Saturday, September 24th at 3:00 p.m., at the SCA Multipurpose Center and will run until September 30. Belize’s first match following the opening ceremonies is against El Salvador; Guatemala on Sunday, September 25, followed by, in order: Panama, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Honduras, with a rest day on Thursday.
Tickets will be on sale at $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12, and if you can’t make it out, the matches will be lived stream on the BVA’s Facebook page, as well as on Youtube.