The FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) – Macao 2018, organized by the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government and the Volleyball Association of Macao, China, and presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), kicks off tomorrow (22 May) at the Macao Forum. The four participating teams – China, Poland, Serbia and Thailand – met with the media today at the pre-event press conference.

Mr. Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and President of the local Organizing Committee, expressed his eager anticipation of fantastic competition and entertainment by all four teams in the upcoming matches.  He also thanked FIVB for their continuous trust and support and said the Organizing Committee is working the best to help make the inaugural edition of FIVB VNL a great success.

The coaches then shared their thoughts and expectations for the Macao pool. 

“We are delighted to return to Macao and our young players are looking forward to the challenge of playing against three great teams.  I wish my players will play to our best capability and put on a good show for the fans,” said China head coach Lang Ping.

“It is a pleasure to be back in Macao, a city where we had success in the past.  We are hoping to play at a very high level in order to qualify for the Finals” said Serbia head coach Zoran Terzic.

“We would like to thank the local organizing committee for the hospitality and we will do our best to play a game for the spectators,” said Thailand head coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to play against China, Thailand and Serbia.  They are very strong teams but we are strong too, and we are going to play our best and wish for positive results,” said Poland head coach Jacek Nawrocki.

Earlier in the day, players of team China including Wang Mengjie, Duan Feng, Zhang Yichan and Hu Mingyuan took part in an exchange session with local youngsters and children with intellectual disability.  The participants were provided an opportunity to learn volleyball skills and play a friendly match with their favorite players.

The fixtures of FIVB Women’s VNL Macao 2018 are as follows (date and local time):

• 22 May: 1630 Thailand v Serbia, 2000 China v Poland;
• 23 May: 1730 Poland v Serbia, 2000 China v Thailand;
• 24 May: 1730 Poland v Thailand, 2000 China v Serbia;

Tickets are in high demand and selling out quickly especially for the final day.  A limited number of remaining tickets for the three match days will be on sale at the Macao Forum.  Tickets purchased online can be redeemed at the ticketing counter at the Macao Forum upon presentation of valid receipt and personal identification document, starting two hours before the first match commences.

In order to further enhance audience engagement during the competition, “My Favorite Galaxy Star Player and Team” competition will be hosted to offer spectators the chance to vote for their favorite player and team and to be in with an opportunity to win hotel accommodation as well as food and beverage prizes.