Chennai to host first int'l beach volleyball tourney

Eleven Indian teams would compete to claim the top honour in the FIVB Chennai Challenger, the first ever int'l beach volleyball tournament in India, starting on July 15 in Chennai.

Eleven Indian teams including four women teams would compete in a strong field of 60 teams from 21 countries to claim the top honour in the FIVB Chennai Challenger, the first ever international beach volleyball tournament in India, starting on July 15 in Chennai.

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The tournament with total prize money of $40,000 each for men's and women's competition, will offer $6,400 to the winning teams.

The six-day long event, to be held at the Marina Beach Volleyball Club in the coastal city, will see participation by the teams from four continents.

The qualification rounds will start from July 15 followed by the main draw, in which teams will play in a double elimination format.

The FIVB Challenger, to be organised by the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) under the aegis of International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

"This tournament is going to be a fantastic opportunity to popularise the game in the country and also a good chance to attract more sponsors. It will also bring great opportunity for the Indian teams, who will get some international experience," Yaniv Noyman, FIVB's technical supervisor for the tournament, said.

Noyman also talked high about India's prospect in beach volleyball and said, "India has high potential to develop beach volleyball and a very good prospect to succeed. The weather conditions together with countless suitable beaches will be great factors contributing to the game."