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Abu Dhabi: The Higher Organising Committee (HOC) of the 1st Abu Dhabi International Women's Volleyball Championship has almost finished preparations for the event, to be held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs and the President of Al Jazira Sports and Cultural Club.
The tournament starts from May 21.
The tournament will feature 10 of the top-seeded teams in the world, divided into two groups according to their rankings, with Italy heading the first group. That group will also feature Holland, Egypt, Australia and Algeria. Cuba will lead the other group which will include Russia, France, Germany and Azerbaijan.
The opening ceremonies will include a one-game match between the UAE and a World All Stars.
"We will take one player from each of the participating 10 teams to face the UAE in the exhibition match," Dr Abdullah Abdul Karim, the vice-chairman of the HOC, told Gulf News yesterday.
Morning matches
The tournament proper will start before the opening ceremony, with Holland taking on Australia and Germany playing against Azerbaijan in the morning on the first day. "The tournament aims to spread the game in the UAE by encouraging local women to practise volleyball," Abdul Karim said.
The teams will start arriving to Abu Dhabi on May 19 and will stay at the Armed Forces Officers Club. They will train at the indoor stadium of Al Jazira Club - venue for the tournament.
"We have finished all preparations and are ready for the commencement of the tournament," Abdul Karim confirmed.
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