Lausanne, May 14, 2008 – India is looking forward to a pioneering Beach Volleyball tournament this summer following the announcement that the city of Chennai will host an FIVB Challenger, the first-ever international Volleyball event in the country.

The US$30,000 men's and women's tournament (total US$60,000) will be held in Chennai, formerly known as Madras, through July 15-20.

"It is the first international Beach Volleyball event in India," said FIVB Beach Volleyball Events Director Angelo Squeo. "They have very big potential for both Volleyball and Beach Volleyball. When we first announced we were interested in staging an event in India many other promoters showed their interest in the same country.

"This FIVB Challenger event is for sure a big move towards having the first SWATCH FIVB World Tour event in India since they have decided to organise a double-gender Challenger event from the beginning," said Squeo.

Other previous Challenger events have been a step on the ladder for countries to host a SWATCH FIVB World Tour event, setting up the FIVB Chennai Challenger as a potential major breakthrough event for Beach Volleyball in India.

There will be 16 teams in the qualification round and 32 teams in the main draw of each tournament. Qualification matches will take place July 15-16 and main draw matches July 17-20.

The top 24 men's teams and top 16 women's teams in the FIVB World Ranking (as per the standings 30 days before the start of the competition) are not allowed to take part in Challenger events, with the exception of two wild cards.