World ParaVolley has received the final report of technical delegate Irene Chang, following the conclusion of the sitting volleyball event at the 11th ASEAN Para Games in Solo, Indonesia.
“I congratulate Irene Chang on being a very effective TD for this event and for her great report. Many thanks, Irene, for your time and effort to support sitting volleyball in the ASEAN nations of PVAO,” WPV President Barry Couzner OAM expressed his delight on Chang’s comprehensive report.
The biennial multi-sport event was held from July 31 to August 4 and featured 14 sports, including sitting volleyball, which had its biggest participation in Games’ history with a total of nine teams. The participation in the latest edition is a breakthrough in sitting volleyball in the region, since the event only had four men’s squads when the discipline was first included in the sports programme.
Six of the 11 Southeast Asian members participated in sitting volleyball, namely hosts Indonesia, Cambodia and Thailand sending both their men’s and women’s teams, and the teams of Malaysia, Myanmar and debutants Philippines playing in the men’s tournament, equalling to 92 athletes and 22 officials. There were 14 International Technical Officials, 15 National Technical Officials and 21 Local Organising Committee members that all helped out in the five-day competition.
The city of Solo hosted the ASEAN Para Games for the first time in 2011, which opened an opportunity for them to start a good programme for their men’s and women’s teams. Eleven years later, their hard work in keeping the programme running paved the way for their teams to reach the podium, as the women’s team won gold and the men’s team claimed bronze in the 2022 edition.
Cambodia dominated the men’s tournament with an undefeated record, beating Thailand 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22) in the final, while Indonesia beat defending champions Myanmar 3-1 (25-11, 25-21, 15-25, 25-18) in the men’s bronze medal match. Indonesia closed the women’s tournament with a 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-6) triumph over Thailand to finish gold and silver, respectively.
Among the many highlights of the Games is the top-level hosting of Indonesia that provided excellent support from the workforce and volunteers, high-quality services provided to athletes and the ITOs and the warm hospitality of the people of Solo.
The Games’ look and feel provided a festive atmosphere at the UTP Sport Centre and competition court fitted out with international standard equipment such as Senoh net and post system, Gerflor Taraflex flooring and Molten volleyballs. Molten also provided whistles for the International Referees. The organizing committee also provided a technical innovation to sitting volleyball with the electronic scoresheet and the tablet for coaches and referees.
The local TV station also broadcasted all sitting volleyball matches live and streamed through the APSF.live on Facebook and the RCTI+ app.
The technical delegate also conducted a coaches’ workshop, which received positive feedback from the APSF, teams and technical officials. The workshop forged strong commitment and cooperation among the nations to help develop the sport in the region.
“Congratulations to everyone on a successful event and I appreciate such a high-level report. A colleague of mine from the organising committee remarked separately that she felt sitting volleyball was one of the most well-run of all the sports with a high-level of experience of ITOs and remarked that it was a well-received competition by all involved. Well done,” WPV Sport Director Lori Okimura said.