-Inaugural Int’l Invitational is a huge
step in the direction of development
President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) Lennox Shuffler said he is extremely pleased to engage three visiting contingents this weekend for the first annual Tradewind Tankers International Invitational Volleyball tournament which commenced Friday night at the National Gymnasium.
The Tradewind Tankers International Invitational Volleyball tournament managed to attract clubs from three participating nations; Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil. Shuffler, in an invited comment with Stabroek Sport on the opening night said that tournaments such as the Tradewind Tankers International Invitational Volleyball tournament, were exactly what the sport needs locally.
“It is achieving exactly what is its purpose and what we were looking for in terms of development and representation,” Shuffler said.
Although all four of the local clubs suffered losses on the opening night, Shuffler said that this did not daunt his spirit as the GVF recognised that more will be gained from the competition.
“We are using this tournament as a gauge for future development and if you noticed we have four teams in competition here rather than just a national team. With four clubs playing we are talking about 48 players being exposed rather than just 12,” Shuffler said.
The long standing GVF president said that Guyana could have been much more competitive if they have fielded a combined national team. However, Shuffler said that as host of an international tournament, he felt that it would have been much more beneficial since more players and coaches would gain international exposure right here in Guyana.
As far as the competition level is concerned, Shuffler said that it was high as was expected, but said it was very evident to coaches, referees, players and sponsors that volleyball locally, needs exposure for all those persons involved in the sport.
Additionally, Shuffler said that he just returned from Brazil, where volleyball is miles ahead of Guyana, and he managed to strengthen ties between the two fraternities. Shuffler said that his ultimate goal is for Guyana to emulate the success that Brazil has been having in volleyball.
With that in mind, Shuffler said he approached his Brazilian counterparts to be Guyana’s volleyball ‘big brother’ so to speak to serve as a catalyst for Guyana’s development.
