FIVB: Bahrain gets top marks for hosting

Manama : Bahrain has been given two thumbs up for its exceptional hosting of the 2017 FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship.

This was declared this evening by the tournament’s Control Committee President Ramon Suzara, who presented Bahrain Volleyball Association (BVA) Vice-President and Organising Committee Director General Jehad Khalfan the Official Report for the competition, which is to be sent to the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB).

Both Suzara and Khalfan signed the document during a meeting with the Press at Shaikh Isa Sports City in Riffa.

The Official Report stated: “Overall, the organiser was excellent.”

It also noted: “In due time, the BVA may be considered to host other FIVB events, even at the top level or elite categories.”

Khalfan expressed his delight with the positive nature of the report.

“When we first bid for this U19 championship, we thought it was an easy one to organise,” he said. “When we got the approval from the FIVB, we realised that it would be a challenge.”

“We were determined to make it a success, so we worked hard and started eight months ahead of the tournament and today, everybody has seen what we have done the last 10 days and they are very happy.”

Bahrain already has its next international competition lined up on the calendar.

The BVA has already been awarded the rights to host the 2018 Asian U20 Championship, which Khalfan says should be held around August.

Khalfan also noted that a bid has already been submitted to host the FIVB U21 World Championship in 2019 – a competition that Bahrain has already hosted twice in the past, first in 1987 and then again in 1997.