FIVB announces Bangsaen Beach to host of season finale of SWATCH FIVB World Tour
Bang Saen in Thailand is scheduled to host the last event of 2012 SWATCH FIVB World Tour from October 23-28.
This is the first time that International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has selected Bang Saen, which is a resort city in Thailand, to play host to the season finale of the world tour. The Bang Saen Open will feature only women’s matches and shared money
of $190,000 will be on stake.
It has been six years that Thailand has provided backdrop for the SWATCH FIVB World Tour events. However, Karon Beach in Phuket has the honour to host the last six events. Once again, Thailand will be in the hot seat for seventh straight year but this time
the competition will take place at a different venue.
The Bang Saen Open women’s beach volleyball tournament will follow the same rules and regulations as other SWATCH FIVB events. The competition will be opened with the Country Quota Playoffs, which will be followed by the Qualification Tournament. Successful
teams will advance to 32-team Main Draw. Thereafter, the top sixteen and top eight teams will be decided. Eventually, four duos will enter the final phase of the tournament for medal matches.
The first beach volleyball tournament in Thailand was held in 2005 when Karon Beach hosted the FIVB Phuket Challenger. In the following year, Phuket hosted the first SWATCH FIVB event. China’s Chen Xue and Zhang Xi emerged as the first duo to claim honours
at the Phuket Open in 2006. Next year, the American Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh stole the show and settled for the title win. In 2008, US pair of Ross-Boss seized the gold medals. Jennifer Kessy and April Ross of USA claimed gold in Phuket in 2009.
Russia’s Maria Bratkova and Evgenia Ukolova finished on the podium in 2010 and China’s Xue-Zhang captured their second Phuket gold medal in 2011. In the next run, there is going to be a new beginning on Bang Saen.
The last men’s event on the SWATCH FIVB World Tour will be hosted by Agadir, Morocco and it will take place from October 2-7.
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