Jamaica to host 2011 Junior Caribbean Volleyball Championships in July

The Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA) has confirmed its hosting of the 2011 Caribbean Volleyball Championship (Junior Boys).The tournament will be held at the Dr Alfred Sangster Auditorium over the period 23 – 27 July 2011. Eight countries from across the Caribbean, including top ranked Trinidad, Barbados and Bahamas, are expected to participate in the event.

Although the JaVA administration had been deliberating the hosting of the Championship for several months, closing the deficit in the J$5M budget proved difficult. However, after extensive discussions between the Presidents of JaVA and the Regional and Confederation Headquarters (CAZOVA and NORCECA), NORCECA has increased its customary grant of US$5,000 to US$16,000. CAZOVA has also committed to covering some of the essential costs. Corporate sponsorship to date while limited, when combined with the other contributions has helped reduce the deficit to approximately J$1.5M.

Despite the existing deficit, Major Warrenton Dixon, President of the JaVA, remains optimistic that the Association will be able to further close the deficit through a combination of sponsorship from Corporate Jamaica and fundraising efforts. JaVA has embarked on a “Jersey Sale” for supporters as one of its fundraising efforts. “The initiative is facilitated by Locker Room Sport and the local “Velle” brand. In as much as we seek the support of our local businesses, we desire to use every opportunity to reciprocate. We desire to be a part of the effort to popularize the Velle brand because we believe it has the desired quality and flair,” stated Dixon. “Additionally, we are inviting organizations to help us by offering to purchase a quantity of jerseys for their staff. Provision is made for the name of such organizations to be printed in the back of the jersey to offer them added value.”

When questioned why he persists with the effort to host the event in the face of the significant challenges and the relatively recent failure of JaVA to properly organize similar events, Major Dixon cited his sense of duty as his main driving force. “Firstly, I was elected to the office of President to deal with the tough decisions of the Association. If there were no challenges then anyone could have been elected to do the job. Secondly, we have a team of youngsters who we believe deserve every effort we can muster to see them represent their country at this level. With no other country offering to host the event, if Jamaica does not host the tournament these boys will never get that opportunity at this level. A cycle that sees us fielding Senior teams with a large percentage of players who do not know what it is to play a competitive international match. Thirdly and very importantly, NORCECA and CAZOVA have invested millions of dollars in the development of volleyball in Jamaica over the last year alone, with even greater investment to come. I believe the honourable thing for Jamaica to do is to spare no effort to give back to the region and confederation. I also believe that we are on an upward path and will overcome the challenges of the past through the exercise of due diligence and commitment to the cause.”

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