GUATEMALA, May 12, 2005.- The Folkloric Ballet of the Guatemalan Institute for Tourism was the main feature of the beautiful cultural and artistic opening ceremony of the First Round 2006 FIVB Women’s World Championship (Norceca C) at the Dome of Guatemala.

The young dancers delighted the crowd with choreographic works by architect Julia Vela, founder of the group in 1990, based on the Guatemalan cultural values as historic, natural and tourist richness, traditions, legends and expressions of the different cultural groups of the country under the artistic direction by Professor Rodolfo Estrada.

The gala also included the participation of the young group of Cheerleaders from the Sacred Heart College and the Music Band of the Bethlehem.

After the parade of the five teams from Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and the host Guatemala, and the playing of the National Anthem, the architect Manuel de Jesus Oxom, leader of the Guatemalan Volleyball Federation gave the welcome to all participants.

Mr. Cristobal Marte, president of NORCECA, declared the event officially open, recognizing the FGVB for accepting the organization of this qualifying tournament, despite all the demanding requirements for a tournament at this level.

He also praised the visiting teams for their sacrifice of coming to participate along with the Guatemalan in this initial round of the 2006 World Championships, where NORCECA will have a 60 percent of participation with six women and four men teams.

“It says a lot about the direction and the development of volleyball in this area,” said Marte, who added that the Organizing Committee really deserve a gold medal for its effort toward the success of the event who “will serve as rehearsal for the Central American Games at the end of the year, and might be the prelude to convert Guatemala in a candidate to stage the annual Pan American Cup, a competition that gathers the 12 best teams of the continent, a well deserved event for the people of Guatemala.”

Ms. Marta Centeno de Sajche, former volleyball star placer and delegate of the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala, read the Athletes Oath, while the international referee of the host country, Gerardo Cifuentes, did the same on behalf of his colleagues.