The first Asian Central Zone Beach Volleyball Championship for men and women organized by the Asian Volleyball Confederation will be hosted by Sri Lanka which also becomes a first for Sri Lanka. The Championship is scheduled for February 18,19 and 20 at the Negombo Beach Park.
The participating countries are Iran, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Nepal and Maldives. As the host country Sri Lanka plans to field three teams for the Championship.
As part of the preparations Sri Lanka Beach Volleyball along with the Sri Lanka Beach Volleyball Association has selected 24 players (12 men and 12 women) and they are presently undergoing training at the Beach Park in Negombo.
This week the selectors hope to reduce the number to eight players for each group and the final two players for each team will be selected a few days before the Championship commences. According to the present form of the women’s players Sri Lanka is hopeful of winning the gold in this category. Meanwhile the Sri Lankan men have to come up with all they have if they are to go for the gold in this Championship.
The toughest team the Sri Lankan men will have to face will be the Iranians who have the physical advantage specially with their height. But the coach of the national beach volleyball team is confident that the Sri Lankans are sure to reach the final at this Championship if they play the game in the proper manner using their skills at their best.