World Volleyball on local television

[VOLLEYBALL] Thai fans will get a chance to watch their team's campaign in the World Women's Junior on television thanks to Thai Beverage Marketing, which has bought the telecast rights.

Thai Beverage subsidiary Dhospaak Communications, in collaboration with Channel 7, has arranged for all matches involving Thailand to be televised, and also the final - irrespective of whether the Thai girls have made it through.

"Rarely do we host world-class events. We are really glad that the Volleyball Association of Thailand has trusted and given us the rights to broadcast," said Tarnthip Sirinuphong, Thai Beverage deputy managing director.

The world meet, which takes place in Nakhon Ratchasima from July 20 to 27, features champion teams from five continents.

Group A consists of Egypt, China, the United States, Germany, the Dominican Republic and the hosts. The matches will be held at The Mall Nakhon Ratchasima's MCC Hall.

Japan, Puerto Rico, reigning champions Brazil, Italy, Croatia and Ukraine are in Group B, whose matches will be played at Gymnasium 2 of Chalermphrakiat Stadium.

Local Channel 7 will televise all Thai matches, excluding the games against China and the US on July 21 and 22, when the station will be broadcasting football matches. However, highlights of the two games will be shown at 11pm on those days.

The final will be broadcast from 4pm on July 27.

Meanwhile, the second press conference on the World Women's Junior Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima was held yesterday at the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel  to assess the Thailand's preparation for hosting the world-class competition.

It was confirmed in the meeting that everything has been going smoothly as planned, while all sides expected that the tournament will be a great success as they did when they staged the 2003 edition in Suphan Buri.

On the Thai girls' prospect in the tournament, Shanrit Wongprasert, one of the executive members of the Volleyball Association of Thailand, admitted that the home team will have an uphill task in the tournament due to the presence of strong teams such as Brazil, Italy and China.

"A place in top six teams is something very satisfactory. When we hosted the Suphan Buri edition four years ago, our girls finished ninth position. It's a great job indeed," Shanrit said.

"It they can fulfill such a dream (of finishing top sixth), I think it's the greatest success. However, if they can make it or not depends upon their form on the day they take on their rivals. I just have my fingers crossed and hope that they will perform at their utmost effort."

Somporn Suphop

The Nation