Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SN/SP)

Mangalore, Mar 12: The women’s and men’s 'National Volleyball Championship-2009' will be held at Gandhinagar Stadium of Sullia from Tuesday March 24 to Sunday March 29.

The event is being organized by Indian Volleyball Federation and Karnataka Volleyball Association.

This event can safely be considered as the first tournament in the history of volleyball sport in the district, in which all the strong teams of the country will compete with each other, said M N Rajendra Kumar, chairman, State Cooperative Apex Bank, speaking at a press conference held here on Wednesday March 11.

Speaking on the occasion, N Jayaprakash Rai, organizing secretary of the tournament informed that eight men's teams and four women's teams will participate in this match. The Indian Volleyball Federation has selected 16 strong men's teams and eight women's teams at the national level, in which the teams that are participating in the tournament now find a place, he added.

The country's international- level players and referees will participate in the event, he revealed.

The organizing committee has been formed under the honorary presidentship of Dr Kurunji Venkataramana Gowda.

The construction of a mini stadium with arrangements for 10, 000 seating capacity, attractive platform and lighting facilities is in progress, in connection with the championship, he said.

The organizing committee honorary president N A Ramachandra, working president S Samshuddin, general secretary K M Mustafa, chief patrons P B Diwakar Rai and K B Ibrahim were present at the press conference.