With less than a week to go before the senior national women and men teams depart for FIVB World Championship Norceca Third Round qualifiers, the T&T Volleyball Federation is still in need of $97,395.00.The senior women's squad is set to depart for Havana, Cuba on Monday to compete in Women's Third Round Group Q qualifiers involving host Cuba, Curacao and Haiti from which the winner will qualify to the World Championship carded for Italy in November while the second placed team will advance to a fourth and final qualification round to be held in T&T from which the winner will also qualify.
The T&T women are in high contentions to complete the task ahead with the inclusion of four European-based professionals in Channon Thomspon, Darlene Ramdin, Sinead Jack and Krystle Esdelle while, on the other hand, the Cuban team is rebuilding their squad.On the other hand, the senior men's team will be competing in Toronto, against host Canada, Costa Ric and Panama from Wednesday May 14 to May 20.The local men's team advanced directly to the Third Round as a result of their high continental ranking, however they would be facing a much tougher opponent in the Canadians, therefore making it their main goal to secure second place in the group stage to continue in the playoffs.
The men's playoff will be held in Mexico in June while the women's playoff will be held in the Jean Pierre Complex, Port-of-Spain during June 2-9.If both teams are in the playoff stages for the final spot, they are more favoured to advance from there.However, unfortunately, the TTVF is facing a deficit in the sum of $97,395.00 which is needed to ensure that both teams are able to attend their respective qualifiers.These funds are required to pay the following for both teams remaining cost of accommodation, registration fees for the tournaments, anti-doping fees and medical suppliesThe TTVF was able to source the remaining $382,241.00 through its own initiative together with support from the Government and consequently, the local federation is appealing to the private and corporate sector for assistance in eliminating the deficit mentioned above to ensure the teams participation as well as to be a part of history being made.
By providing sponsorship, companies would be rewarded the following: named sponsor of the national teams; signage opportunities at the Women's Playoff at the Jean Pierre Sports Complex, June 2-9; court side banners; product giveaways or promotions; signage on flyers and recognition radio advertisings.The local federation is expected to hos a press conference today (Wednesday) from 10 am at the T&T Olympic Committee House to give a further update on the situation.The winner of the group will qualify to the World Championship carded for Italy in November while the second placed team will advance to a fourth and final qualification round to be held in T&T in June, from which the winner will also qualify for the World Championships carded for Italy, later this year.