Guyana’s 2019 beach volleyball champs Juan Velazquez and Vance Harding yesterday departed Guyana to participate in the South America beach games in Argentina from March 11-18, 2019.
The duo was accompanied by President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) Levi Nedd, who will act as their coach.
Velazquez and Harding had earlier this year, qualified as Guyana’s representatives to the games which will be used as an Olympic pre-qualifier.
They had defeated Ian Bagot and Quacy Matheson 2-1 at the conclusion of the GVF Beach Volleyball Tournament at the Marriott Hotel beach front in Kingston, Georgetown.
Nedd, before the team departed, revealed to Stabroek Sport that the pair was well oiled and should be able to serve and spike their way to success.
“The training was very strenuous, based on the time we had to get ourselves ready,” Nedd explained.
He said that he was very optimistic of the pair’s fortunes, citing their ability to synchronise their efforts.
“I know they have improved a lot… and because we are concentrating a lot on the beach [volleyball] now, I think they will put up a good showing that Guyana has ever done before,” he told Stabroek Sport.
Meanwhile, in a separate event altogether, a national rugby delegation also departed Guyana yesterday en route to Argentina for the 2019 South America Rugby Beach Olympics.
According to coach Oslyn Olivier, Guyana participated in the event four years ago in neighbouring Venezuela where locals fell one spot out of medal contention.
Olivier, who spoke to this publication moments before the team departed, explained that the unit is much more aware of the rules of the sport which should augur well for the locals.
“We stand a very good chance…the last time in Venezuela we were not familiar with the rules but this time we had enough time to train together while learning more about the format,” he noted.
