Tight budget for volleyfest

DESPITE the smaller budget approved by the Sports Development Division-City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO), the Davao Volleyball Association (Dava) will push through with the staging of the 33rd Kadayawan sa Dabaw Beach Volleyball Under-19 Open Tournament slated August 18-19 at the Felis Resort Complex.

Dava president D'Artagnan "Daks" Yambao, in a Facebook interview with Sun.Star Davao yesterday, said they will work on a lower budget to pursue the annual event, thus, they continue to seek for private sponsors.

"Less na ang support ng SDD-CMO. Reduced ang cash prizes and referee fees tapos medals nalang but we are still grateful for the support though," Yambao said.

He, however, explained that they opted to hold beach volleyball rather than an indoor volleyball since Felis management has been very supportive with Dava throughout the years.

"We are having a hard time to have a decent indoor volleyball venue for the event since kami na rin lahat ang bahala maghanap ng venue and we have no funds for the rent," he added.

He added that the beach volleyball event is also good for indoor volleyball players to hone their skills.

"Dalawa lang sila sa beach volleyball tapos walang sub, no libero, no coach, so they can only rely on themselves. This is also to boost their morale and confidence having to play Mano y Mano and have the independence as part of cross training in transition to indoor volleyball."

The volleyfest will have male and female divisions with some 35 teams from General Santos City, Island Garden City of Samal, Tagum City and Davao City