BY ELTON LONARATHA JNR
THE Solomon Islands National Men’s Beach Volleyball team has bowed out of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Volleyball Continental Cup Semi-final and Final hosted in Ningbo, China. The team lost to Thailand 2-0 in both matches played at the Banbianshan Beach Volleyball Center on Monday.
Despite the elimination, Solomon Islands Volleyball Federation (SIVF) President Morris Maitaki acknowledged the commitment of the players. “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and humbly thank our boys for the great efforts displayed at the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup Semi-Final Qualifier held in Ningbo, China,” Maitaki said.
Maitaki thanked the National Sports Council (NSC), National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI), Solomon Islands Volleyball Federation (SIVF), and Solomon Island National Institution of Sport (SINIS) for the support that enabled the team to compete in the Asia Continental Cup. “A great opportunity and experience indeed for our boys looking to the future,” Maitaki said.
The President also thanked the team coach Jeffrey Pasio and Team Manager Mr. Barry Pugeva for their technical support rendered to the team. “It’s just unfortunate that both officials could not accompany the team due to financial difficulties and work commitment in the case of Barry Pugeva,” Maitaki said.
The team of four players will arrive back home tomorrow.
