GUATEMALA, May 11, 2005.- Cristobal Marte, president of NORCECA, congratulated the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala and its Volleyball Federation for the seriousness they have assumed in the organization of the Norceca C First Round of the World Championship to take place here in the Dome of Guatemala on May 11-15.

Mr. Marte proclaimed, during the General Technical Meeting, a congratulation message on behalf of the FIVB and its president, Dr. Ruben Acosta, the Norceca, and the five participating teams from Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras and the host country.

“It is source of pride and satisfaction to work with a vigorous federation, who left its problems in the past in order to improve the development of this sport in Guatemala,” said Marte, who also was grateful of the Organizing Committee and all the collaborators who have been working to comply with this compromise that is part of the 2006 FIVB World Championships.

Currently a total of 174 countries are participating in the qualification process and at the end 24 teams of each gender will make the final round. The Norceca Confederation will be represented by six women and four men teams.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Marta Centeno, Vice President of the Confederation, Mr. Manuel Oxom, Acting President of the Guatemalan Federation, all the members of the Organizing Committee, members of the Control Committee, delegates, referees, and special guests of the host country that will be site of the Central American Games at the end of the year.

Mr. Oxom pronounced the welcome speech to all the visitors and was grateful of the support given by the Guatemala Confederation and the Norceca. He also said he expects the event to take place with quality and good organization.