The activity took place at the multi-purpose Invivienda
Gymnasium and is organized by the Physical Education Institute in
collaboration with the FIVB Regional Development Center in the
Dominican Republic.
The players of ages between 10-15 years-old are divided in 144
teams -72 male and 72 female - and the number of participants was
so big that only part of the teams was able to be inside of the
facility.
The NORCECA Confederation is contributing with the playing
equipment, which includes balls, nets and antennas, and also with
the proper training of the teachers.
"We are very pleased to open this competition at the grassroots
level with the participation of so many boys and girls," Nelson
Ramirez, director of the centre, said. "Volleyball at schools is
very important to attract the kids to our sport at a tender age and
to expand its popularity in the country."
As part of its global development plan, NORCECA Confederation is
stimulating all its national federations to initiate volleyball
programs at the school level as a way to spread out the sport in
the continent.
The opening ceremony was attended by Danilo Mesa, executive
director of the Dominican Republic Physical Education Institute,
and municipal authorities of the East Santo Domingo Province.