Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama approves building beach volleyball court behind Fort San Pedro

By Iste S. Leopoldo

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

THE Fort San Pedro has been one of the major historical landmarks of Cebu. In no time, it will become another landmark as it will soon be the home for Cebu’s beach volleyball court.

This after Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama approved the Cebu City Sports Commission’s proposal to have a permanent sand court in the city.

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CCSC proposed the setting up of an artificial beach volley sand court in the two-hectare property of Fort San Pedro.

“Wala ni siya problema. This will boost the tourism in the area. However, there is still a need for the Parks and Playgrounds Commission (PPC) to be aware of the said proposal and for CCSC to collaborate with them kay basin naa na existing program ang PPC,” Rama told Sun.Star in a phone interview.

Rama added that incorporating sports in a historical landmark of Cebu is a welcome development.

According to CCSC commissioner Ryan Aznar, who is also the athletic director of the powerhouse beach volley team of Southwestern University, the development will give a chance for beach volleyball to grow in Cebu City.

“It’s a chance for beach volleyball to grow. If naa na gyud tay public sand court, our level of competence will grow. It will also raise public awareness about the sport because it will be made accessible to the public,” Aznar said.

Aznar added that in the past, Cebu beach volleyball teams had to travel to Lilo-an, Naga or Mactan just to train for major tournaments.

Cebu Province spent for a beach court at the Parkmall in Mandaue. However, two years after, what was perceived to be beach sand hardened and is now being used as the mall’s parking lot.

“With it made accessible, it can create interest and that is one way of developing players,” Aznar said.

Aznar said that PSC’s Eric LeCain, who is beach volleyball trainer in New York and a former RP beach volleyball coach, has seen so much potential in the Cebuano players.

When this plan will materialize, LeCain together with Ceva will be spearheading grassroots program for beach volley.

Cebuano players have been dominating the prestigious Nestea beach volleyball competition, which is expected to make a comeback next year. In all of its 14 years of existence, Southwestern has been the winningest team in the Nestea tournament, with four women’s titles.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on November 03, 2011.

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