PARNU – On 12 July, the 8th World University Beach Volleyball Championship opened on the windy evening in Estonian’s summer capital, Pärnu. Alongside welcome speeches there were a lot of fireworks at the opening ceremony.
Minister of Education and Research, Mr. Jürgen Ligi told in his opening speech that Tartu is Estonian main univeristy city but Pärnu is the biggest beach resort so these world championships are hosted in the right place.
FISU 1st Vice-President Leonz Eder
The President of the Organising Committee, the Mayor of Pärnu Mr. Romek Kosenkranius stated that it is a huge honour for the Estonian summer capital to host such an important tournament. „It is also a great opportunity to volleyball friends to cheer for such a high level tournament. The WUC Beach Volleyball Championship gives us a valuable experience to host sports competitions on a world level, in addition it is a good chance to popularize beach volleyball and an active lifestyle in general,” he added.
FISU 1st Vice-President Leonz Eder declared the 8th WUC Beach Volleyball open and told: „Organised in the framework of FISU, the current World University Beach Volleyball Championship is among the most important international university sport manifestations in the world this year. Until 18 July, Pärnu will be the capital of international student sport and beach volleyball.”
The Estonian flag was hoisted by Mr. Kristjan Kais who represented the Baltic country at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Ms. Mari-Liis Graumann, who won the gold medal at the 2008 FISU WUC Beach Volleyball in Hamburg, hoisted the FISU flag.
The cultural programme of the opening ceremony saw a fiery drum show by Kallervo Karu, Peeter Jõgioja & crew, followed by firedancers and fire & fireworks show by Tulekild. The cheerleaders of Pärnu Volleyball Club also performed while the music was mixed by Dr. Philgood.
(Source: WUC Beach Volleyball OC)
Livestreaming
Livestreaming of the games can be followed via the Estonian news portal Delfi http://sport.delfi.ee/.
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