Women's beach volleyball set for take off in India

Bangalore, Aug 22 (UNI) Beach Volleyball is all set to take roots in India with Beyond Though Marketing Private Limited (BTMS) coming out with 'Volleigirl.' Managed by professionals and experts in sports and sports marketing, BTMS, with the support of Volleyball Federation of India (VFI), intends providig new identity to women's sports in the country.

''It is an initiative to promote career through sports, while assuring a unique yet niche career option for the 'with-it' girls in country,'' BTMS Director Mohak Gupta told UNI.

'Volleigirl' was a conscious effort to extend the great Indian vision for creating newer avenues in competitive global sports.

It was not only aimed at creating interest amongst keen and interested partcipants across the country but also to draw the attention of the corporate world, media, key influencers and individuals towards a different, exciting, physically demanding and fun sport, he said.

To a question, he said the process of selection for India's exclusive Women Beach Volleyball Teams would begin shortly and the VFI has already started writing to the Universities in this regard.

To begin with the VFI would hold state-level selections for girls in the age group of 16 to 25 to select 80 girls.

These prospective talents would then be pruned to 48 girls for further tests and elimination and further short listed to 24 girls.

The 24 girls would be showcased as the future Volleyball Team in the making at the National Beach Volleyball Games in Goa in November 2007 and subsequently undergo a 30-45 day rigorous training and personality grooming at a location selected by the Technical Support Partners VFI.

To another question, he said the 24 players would be given training fees by BTMS and the best 4 from the final pool titled 'Volleigirls' for season One.

The 4 players would undergo further advanced training in international circuit. They would then play in the State, National and International Games organised by VFI in India and BTMS would promote them as Sports Celebrities from India.

Mr Gupta clarified as per International rules Beach Volleyball can be played on sand of certain quality and quantity as per standards prescribed.

UNI