The Hague, the Netherlands, March 30, 2015 – The President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Dr. Ary S. Graça F° declared The Hague as the new capital of sport as he addressed guests at the Drawing of Lots for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships The Netherlands 2015 in the Mauritshuis on Monday.
President Graça congratulated the initiative of the Netherlands Volleyball Federation for organizing the most important event in beach volleyball, which is held every two years, across four cities with Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Apeldoorn joining chief host city The Hague in staging the event from June 27 to July 3. The Hague will host the opening ceremony and matches on July 26 and the semifinals and finals from July 4 to 5.
"The whole world is going to see that The Hague is going to be the capital of beach volleyball, of sport! I have been to The Hague before and I am completely in love with this city. The athletes are the most important and I am quite sure they are going to be happy here as well."
“The event, the location, I’m sure the whole world is going to see. The whole world will see that The Hague is a city of volleyball, of sport.
“Sport is important for everybody, the health of youth in schools is very important. This tournament can help incentivise people to play and keep healthy.
“The world is going to understand the importance of Holland, The Hague and the importance of beach volleyball. You can be sure the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships will be a big success.”
The Hague Vice-mayor Rabin Baldewsingh said that the city is not only an international city of justice and peace, but also a city of sport. "The Hague hosted the Hockey World Championships last year and is now the home of our beach volleyball teams."