US Embassy gives $10,000 for volleyball sand court

CEBU City’s beach volleyball scene got a boost as the U.S. Embassy donated $10,000 for the beach volleyball sand court being put up at the Plaza Independencia playground beside Fort San Pedro.

The donation is part of the U.S. Embassy’s civic outreach programs aimed at helping Cebu City’s grassroots development in beach volleyball.

“We will spike our way to Olympics 2020,” said Edward Hayco, the chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission, when asked what the newly constructed beach volleyball sandcourt means to Cebu.

Brian L. Goldbeck, who was in town for the turnover of support by the USA government to the sports commission last Wednesday at the Plaza Independencia, said he hopes to see a Philippine team going up against the U.S. Team in beach volleyball at the Olympics someday.

Hayco said the U.S. Embassy’s help will not end with the donation as they are also mulling bringing in U.S. coaches and players here to help with the training of local athletes.

Goldbeck said it is very significant that the sand court is built in a historical place because the sport can build the community as well as gather families.

Aside from that, the sand court could also be a source of tourism income for the city, said Goldbeck, who plays volleyball himself.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) doled out a P100,000 for the project and most of the funding went to securing the sand for the court.

The sand came from Pinamungajan while more will be arriving from Siquijor.

The Cebu Volleyball Association also pitched in for the project.

Dr. Librado Macaraya Jr., chairman of the Parks and Playground Commission, said building the court has been a community effort. The hollow blocks and gravel used were donated.

Macaraya said he would have to confer with the sports commission with regards to the management of the sandcourt, which is expected to be finished by December. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON