Public schools urged to vie in 12-under beach volley tilt

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) beach volleyball consultant American Eric Lecain is urging public schools in Cebu City to field their junior teams as he and Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) will conduct a beach volleyball tournament for 12-under squads on Nov. 9 at the beach volleyball court beside Fort San Pedro.

During the first CCSC introduction of the sports and coaching news letters held yesterday at the DepEd Cebu City office, Lecain bared his big plans for Cebu City which he considers the training ground for the country’s beach volleyball team.

Lecain is strongly backed by CCSC Chairman Edward Hayco as both want Cebu City to form a formidable team for the the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

“When we look at countries that suddenly became strong contenders in world beach volleyball, it’s because they started with the grassroots level. That’s what will happen here in Cebu City,” said Lecain.

He is encouraging public school teachers who are handling regular volleyball teams to enlist for the tournament. Lecain is also planning to stage a separate tournament for 15-under players.

“I invite them (teachers) to not just compete but learn the fundamentals of beach volleyball,” said Lecain.

According to Hayco, the CCSC and PSC will build another beach volleyball court in Plaza Independencia so that the two courts will be able to host the practice sessions of the PHL team and the planned tournament. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL