Top beach volley players heading for Phuket

PHUKET: The island will play host in November to the Swatch-FIVB World Tour Women’s Professional Beach Volleyball tournament, from November 1 to 5 at Kata Beach, it was announced yesterday.

Prize money of US$200,000 (about 7 million baht) will be up for grabs for the winners among some 60 two-player teams from countries including Germany, Brazil, the US, China and Japan. Six teams from Thailand are entered.

Spectators will be admitted free of charge and large crowds are expected following the success of last year’s Challenger round of the tournament in Phuket.

The stars of the event are expected to be current World and Olympic beach volleyball champions, Kerri Walsh and Misty May from the US.

The finals will be televised live on Thai TV as well as on international sports channels.

Visit www.fivb.org and www.pentanglepromotions.com for more information on the event.

The event is being organized jointly by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the Thailand Volleyball Association and Pentangle Promotions Co.

Meanwhile, an international volleyball competition will be staged in Rawai this weekend. Click here for details.