Vietnam has set a top five spot as its goal at the international Tanimex Cup 2010 women’s beach volleyball tournament.
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| Stretch for it: Phan Thi Cam Hong (front) and her teammate Huynh Do Hong Loan will compete at the international women’s beach volleyball tournament, the Tanimex Cup, at Ocean Park in Vung Tau City from October 1-3. |
Le Hoang Son, head of the beach volleyball section of the Vietnam Volleyball Federation (VFV), said that at least one pairing has the potential to make it to the tournament’s top five in a sport that is still at a nascent stage in the country.
Organisers said at a press conference on Sept 22 in Ho Chi Minh City that 12 teams from seven nations and territories including hosts Vietnam will take part in the tournament held at the Ocean Park in Vung Tau City from October 1-3.
The 12 teams from Hong Kong, Thailand, Kazakhstan, China, Chinese Taipei, Laos and Vietnam will compete for total prize of US$10,000, with the champion taking $2,200, the runners-up $1,700 and the third-placed, $1,400.
Vietnam’s two pairs are Truong Thi Yen with Nguyen Thi Mai (team 1); and Phan Thi Cam Hong with Huynh Do Hong Loan (team 2).
"With the quality of players this year, Yen and Mai should finish in the top five," said Son.
"The Chinese Taipei duo Kou Nai Han and Chang Hui Min are currently one of the top pairs in Asia and will be strong contenders for the title," Son said.
Vung Tau also hosted an international women’s beach volleyball tournament last year, which saw Thailand claim both the first and second spots, while Vietnam finished in the seventh place.
The final round of the national men’s and women’s beach volleyball championship to determine the ranking of pairs will be held just before Tanimex Cup 2010.
The first team in both categories of the national championship, also sponsored by Tanimex, will receive VND8 million ($420) each.
The tournament is organised by the VFV and the Tan Binh Commercial Service Import Export Company (Tanimex) in collaboration with Ba Ria Vung Tau province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Tanimex has been sponsoring beach volleyball in the country since 2007.