PHUKET: The Mayor of Phuket's Karon beach district said tonight that he was awaiting confirmation that this year's annual FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Tour tournament will be played in Chonburi instead of on Phuket.
Mayor Tawee Tongcham said that Chonburi had been a strong contender for the world tour competition, which has been played on Phuket each year since 2006.
The titles carry an international television boost for Phuket as well as enhancing its reputation as a leading destination for world-class sporting events.
''Chonburi has made a well-managed claim to win this competition,'' the mayor said tonight. ''I will know for sure when I call the organisers on Monday.''
The switch of the tournament to Leamtaen, 85 kilometres south of Bangkok, would be the second sporting blow to Kata-Karon in the space of two years.
Phuket's annual surfing titles moved from Kata to Patong last year.
The beach volleyball move from Phuket is said to be designed to give more fans from Bangkok the chance to see the world's best beach volleyball players in action.
It is being reported that the move from Phuket has been approved by the Beach Volleyball World Tour Council.
According to sources, the response to the change of venue from teams has been positive with more than 40 from teams from 17 countries already entered, including the current world champions from Brazil.
The managing director of Pentangle Promotions, Geoffrey Rowe, said more than 70 teams from 30 countries are expected to eventually sign up.
''The tournament is recognised as the leading women's beach volleyball event in Asia and traditionally draws large crowds of spectators throughout,'' he said.
''As well as being televised locally, the final two days of the tournament are broadcast live worldwide to an international audience of over 70 million households, which gives tremendous exposure to the host venue.''
This year's tournament has been set for Chonburi for October 23-28.
World class beach volleyball will return to Phuket in 2014 when the island stages the Fourth Asian Beach Games.
Mayor Tawee Tongcham said that Chonburi had been a strong contender for the world tour competition, which has been played on Phuket each year since 2006.
The titles carry an international television boost for Phuket as well as enhancing its reputation as a leading destination for world-class sporting events.
''Chonburi has made a well-managed claim to win this competition,'' the mayor said tonight. ''I will know for sure when I call the organisers on Monday.''
The switch of the tournament to Leamtaen, 85 kilometres south of Bangkok, would be the second sporting blow to Kata-Karon in the space of two years.
Phuket's annual surfing titles moved from Kata to Patong last year.
The beach volleyball move from Phuket is said to be designed to give more fans from Bangkok the chance to see the world's best beach volleyball players in action.
It is being reported that the move from Phuket has been approved by the Beach Volleyball World Tour Council.
According to sources, the response to the change of venue from teams has been positive with more than 40 from teams from 17 countries already entered, including the current world champions from Brazil.
The managing director of Pentangle Promotions, Geoffrey Rowe, said more than 70 teams from 30 countries are expected to eventually sign up.
''The tournament is recognised as the leading women's beach volleyball event in Asia and traditionally draws large crowds of spectators throughout,'' he said.
''As well as being televised locally, the final two days of the tournament are broadcast live worldwide to an international audience of over 70 million households, which gives tremendous exposure to the host venue.''
This year's tournament has been set for Chonburi for October 23-28.
World class beach volleyball will return to Phuket in 2014 when the island stages the Fourth Asian Beach Games.
Well this was spoken about two years ago when the Kata Karon officials started demanding bigger and bigger back-hander packets. Now they got what they deserve, nothing.
Posted by Robin on May 20, 2012 08:56