World's best beach spikers set for Phuket
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The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour's US$110,000 Phuket Thailand Open, powered by PTT, will hit Phuket this year, with 42 teams from 21 countries.
Thailand’s eighth successive FIVB women’s Open will be held on Karon Beach from October 29 to November 3.
The battleground has shifted back to Phuket after players complained of the heat last year at Bangsaen Beach in Chon Buri.
The Phuket Thailand Open, which is jointly organised by Pentangle Promotions and the Thailand Volleyball Association, is the biggest annual beach sporting event in Southeast Asia and Thai fans will be able to watch over 50 of the world’s top women’s teams in action. Admission is free.
Entries for the tournament close at the end of September and to date 42 teams from 21 countries – Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Vanuatu, Venezuela and Thailand – have committed to the tournament.
Thailand, as hosts, are allowed two automatic slots in the main draw, with an additional wild-card entry.
The six-day event Thailand Open begins with qualifying rounds on October 29, followed by two days of main-draw pool play on October 30 and 31. The final three days of knockout competition culminate with the semi-finals on November 2 and the final on November 3. Both will be broadcast on TV in Thailand and to over 7 million households worldwide.
Supporting the tournament are activities including the PTT Schools Cup and PTT Beach Volleyball camps on the finals weekend and a large activity zone featuring sponsor booths, a beer garden and games and competitions for beach volleyball fans.
The Open is supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, PTT, Thai Beverage Marketing, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mazda, Kata Group, Phuket Gazette, Woraburi Resort and Spa, TOT, Grand Sports, Tez Tour, O’ Natural, 91.5 FM, Haad Thip and Jungceylon.
