President of the Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA), Trevor Williams, at the opening of the DVA-A – Division Volleyball league said that he hopes that the league will present an unvarying time period where competitive and intense volleyball is played.
“We want to have a structured period where we play volleyball at a highly competitive level, where teams can look forward to intense volleyball,” he said.
Williams was at the time speaking at the opening ceremony of the league at the National Gymnasium.
Commenting on the league which is the first of its kind, Williams signalled his intention to foster a more noticeable presence in female volleyball through more participation.
“Developing more female participation during the league is also one of our aims. For a long time the focus has been on the males so we want to balance that out,” he said.
The league, which will conclude July 29 with the final at the Bartica Community Center ground, will also feature games at the National Gymnasium, Linden, and the Goed Fortuin Community Center Ground in an attempt to showcase the available talent to the various communities.
According to Williams, he expects that the league will act as a bridge to reconnect the business community with the sport. This the inaugural tournament is being sponsored by Stag Beer, Bakewell, the National Sports Commission, Ministry of Social Protection, the office of the Prime Minister, and Ramesh Trophy Stall.
The male first prize is $150,000 and a trophy with the second prize being $75,000. The female winners will receive $125,000 with the runners-up set to take home $50,000.
There are also individual prizes for the male and female most valuable player while the best setter, score and received will also receive prizes.
The competition continues on Sunday where the first round of female matches will commence at the National Gymnasium.
