World volleyball GP to begin in Jakarta

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

Indonesia's volleyball fans are set to enjoy top-class performances by world-caliber players when four women's teams play their grand prix series here next week.

Teams from Cuba, Germany, Japan and Russia will be paired against each other in the second series of the 2004 world grand prix from July 16 to July 18 at the Bung Karno Indoor Stadium.

The Indonesian Volleyball Association (PBVSI) sees the event as a good way of helping to reinvigorate local volleyball.

"This is a good chance for local volleyball players to learn from the world's top teams playing in Jakarta," PBVSI chairwoman Rita Subowo said during a press conference here on Thursday.

Rita hoped that by watching the teams play, local players would be spurred to improve their performances.

"We expect about 7,000 people to watch the event," Rita said.

The teams are scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on Monday, with each team consisting of 18 players.

Russia, the 2003 runner-up, will field its top scorer in the grand prix, Ekaterina Gamova, and best blocker, Anastasia Belikova, who also won the best top scorer and best blocker of the year awards in last year's grand prix.

The four countries are among 12 participating in the 2004 world volleyball grand prix.

At the same time, Hong Kong will host Italy, the United States, defending champion China and Thailand, while Manila will be the venue for Brazil, the Dominican Republic, South Korea and Poland.

The three-day matches will be aired live by Japan's Fuji-TV. Local TV station TPI will broadcast the games for Indonesian viewers in delayed program.

This is a second time that Indonesia will have hosted an international volleyball event since hosting the third grand prix in 1995.

Rita said the choice of Indonesia as the venue for the grand prix signaled that security was not such an issue anymore.

She said that she had convinced the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) that Indonesia would be a safe venue and that there would be no security worries during the event.

The first series of the 2004 grand prix is being held Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Japan from July 7 to July 11.

The teams will play in the third series in Germany, China and Korea from July 22 to July 24 before heading to the finals in Italy from July 27 to Aug. 1.