Expectations are high that the local volleyball team can defeat their Surinamese rivals when the first leg of the Goodwill Games starts on home turf today at the National Gymnasium.
In a telephone interview yesterday, National Coach Trevor Smith told Stabroek Sport that the talent on the team coupled with their preparations are enough for victory.
“The team is selected and well prepared, we have nine members from the female team last year returning and the male side is almost the same so we are looking good,” he said. Further, he noted that the team has trained continuously since February.
“The males have been involved in a lot of tournaments nationally and have been playing games against the seniors,” he said. Smith also pointed out that last year’s batch of players were not seasoned yet “they did good things out there but this year they are together longer and should be better off.” The match starts at 10.30am.
Three sporting disciplines are being contested here: volleyball, cycling and chess, while the second leg of the competition will be held in Suriname from November 9. Basketball, table tennis and football comprise the second half of the Games.
