FIVB PRESIDENT JIZHONG WEI WILL ATTEND TO NORCECA’S OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENT IN TIJUANA

TIJUANA, Mexico, March 28 2012.- FIVB President Jizhong Wei will be the guest of honor during the Norceca’s Olympic Qualification Tournament to be played in the City of Tijuana.

Wei will attend to the competition scheduled from April 27th thru May 6th at the Baja California High Performance Center.

Thus every detail and preparation issues have been reviewed by the Local Organising Committee. Logistics, attention to participants, control committee members and visitors were part of the agenda at the latest meeting .

The job of the volunteers was another important issue, due to the protocols and working guidelines for the competition that will give one ticket toLondon 2012 to the winning team.

The organising committee members agreed to create a great atmosphere in Tijuana, a city that has hosted a lot of FIVB and Norceca Events such as Pan Am Cups as well as Youth and Junior World Championships.

The first date of this competition is scheduled on April 29th, but from the 27th the first training sessions will take place as well as some scrimmage matches. During the meeting in Tijuana, the proposed schedule for practices and oficial matches was presented.

Some national teams like Dominican Republic will arrive in advance to Mexico. Dominicans are expected for a 10 day training camp with a roster composed of many international stars such as libero Brenda Castillo, who conquered a lot of honors at the Pan Am Games of Guadalajara 2011.

According to the proposed Schedule, the beginning of the practice sessions for the competing teams will be on April 27th, with Mexico and Honduras, that will stard at 3:30 PM (local time). Following them, Canada and Costa Rica will start at 5:00 PM. Cuba and Puerto Rico will practice at 6:30 PM while Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago will close the first day of practice sessions at 8:00 PM.

On Saturday April 28th, the Practical Clinic for Volunteers and Referees will take place at the Multipurpose Gym, while the opening of the torunament is scheduled on Sunay 29th noon.

TIJUANA PREPARES FOR THE WOMEN’S OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENT

TIJUANA, Mexico, March 24 2012.— The Local Organising Committe of the NORCECA’s Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament reviewed updates in preparation of the competition that will take place from April 27th thru May 6th at the Baja California High Performance Center.

Personnel of the Baja California Sports and Physical Culture Institute as well as the Mexican Volleyball Federation and the Baja California Volleyball State Assotiation held a coordination meeting with all the commissions involved.

“This will be a high level event, because we will receive FIVB President Jizhong Wei, who will be here following the competition from the beginning to the end, thus we have to work on every detail in the organization, promotion and attention to all our guests and participants”, said Saul Castro Verdugo, General Director of the Baja California Sports Institute and Norceca’s First Vicepresident.

“We have been working closely and with a lot of enthusiasm in many of this kind of events for almost eleven years”, he added. “The work developed by every commission will be important from the previous preparation, the opening and awards ceremony as well as the stay of the teams to guarantee the success of the event”.

The competition Pools are already defined. The national teams of Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Canada and Honduras will be part of Pool “A”, while the host, Mexico will play the first round in Pool “B” along with Cuba, Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago.

The champion of this tournament will qualify the Olympic Games of London 2012, while the best ranked team that doesn’t win this tournament will have a new chance to clinch the berth in a repechage tournament to be played in Japan on May.

BAJA VOLLEY GIRLS, CROWNED IN THE USA

Melissa Romero, 16, Team Captain.

TIJUANA, Mexico March 24 2012.— The Baja California Girls State Team won the 16 and Under Championship of the Southern California Volleyball Association, thar was played in Anaheim, United States.

The Mexican youngsters participated in this competition as part of their preparation for the National Junior Olympic Championship, organized by the National Sports Commission (CONADE).

“We are very happy for this championship, we faced a lot of good teams during the process. We won most of our matches were in two sets. The only match that lasted a more than usual was against Hawaii, but in the end we finished with a victory in three”, said head coach Neri Bernal, who was assisted by Ruben Cheu and Gabriel Sandoval as statician.

The hawaiian team was seeded as number 1 in this competition, but after the defeat against Baja, finished in 7th. “The level of the tournament was increasing match by match and we improved set by set. I am sure this will help us for the Nationals in Mexico”, Bernal added.

Most of the girls of this team are from the cities of Tijuana and Mexicali, and hold their training camps at the Baja California High Performance Center. This week they were congratulated in a meeting held by the Baja California Sports and Physical Culture Institute Director, Saul Castro Verdugo.

“We are very proud about you, for your participation and quality shown in Southern California”, said Castro Verdugo “The opportunity of competing in this kind tournaments has increased the level of our teams and every time they play in the United States are seen with a lot of respect by the Americans”.

INDE’s Director said this kind of achievements also implicate a big responsibility. “It is great to enjoy a victory like this, but at the same time we have to be prepared for the next commitment. You can only prove that you are the best when you show it on the court”.

The next and most important commitment of the Baja California Volleyball program will be at the Nationals to be played in Guanajuato by the beginning of June. 

MEXICO GETS READY TO RECEIVE JIZHONG WEI

The Local Organising Committee of the Norceca
Women's Olympic Qualification Tournament
presented updates during its coordination meeting.

TIJUANA, Mexico, March 24 2012.— The Local Organising Committe of the NORCECA’s Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament reviewed updates in preparation of the competition that will take place from April 27th thru May 6th at the Baja California High Performance Center.

Personnel of the Baja California Sports and Physical Culture Institute as well as the Mexican Volleyball Federation and the Baja California Volleyball State Assotiation held a coordination meeting with all the commissions involved.

“This will be a high level event, because we will receive FIVB President Jizhong Wei, who will be here following the competition from the beginning to the end, thus we have to work on every detail in the organization, promotion and attention to all our guests and participants”, said Saul Castro Verdugo, General Director of the Baja California Sports Institute and Norceca’s First Vicepresident.

“We have been working closely and with a lot of enthusiasm in many of this kind of events for almost eleven years”, he added. “The work developed by every commission will be important from the previous preparation, the opening and awards ceremony as well as the stay of the teams to guarantee the success of the event”.

The competition Pools are already defined. The national teams of Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Canada and Honduras will be part of Pool “A”, while the host, Mexico will play the first round in Pool “B” along with Cuba, Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago.

The champion of this tournament will qualify the Olympic Games of London 2012, while the best ranked team that doesn’t win this tournament will have a new chance to clinch the berth in a repechage tournament to be played in Japan on May.

TIJUANA PREPARES FOR OLYMPIC QUALIFIER

Official Image of the event.

TIJUANA, Mexico - The Baja California Sports and Physical Culture Institute along with the Tijuana Mayor’s Office announced the preparation of the Norceca Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament to be held from April 27 to May 6.

During the meeting with Mayor Carlos Bustamante Anchondo, and members of the media at the Tijuana City Hall, Baja California Sports Director Saul Castro Verdugo presented the updates on behalf of the organizing committee.

“This competition is an opportunity to work together in benefit of our city,” Castro Verdugo said. “That will be a very important stop in the road to London 2012.”

The National teams of Cuba, Dominican Republic, Canada, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras and Mexico have been registered to play for a berth to the Olympic Games.

“The High Performance Center is a great stage, and this will be a very positive impact for the image of Tijuana and will be seen in many parts abroad,” Bustamante Anchondo said, who showed the interest in supporting the organization. 

VIVIANA AND MAYRA SET A NEW HIGH AT THE INTERNATIONAL BEACH VOLLEYBALL CIRUIT

Bibiana Candelas and Mayra García,
crowned as champions in Grand Cayman.

SEVEN MILES BEACH, Grand Cayman (NORCECA) -  Bibiana Candelas and Mayra Garcia took home the women’s gold medal by defeating fellow countrywomen Martha Revuelta and Vanessa Virgen 2-0 (21-6, 21-19) in the final of the Cayman Islands 2012 NORCECA’s Beach Volleyball Tournament.

Candelas and Garcia of MEX-2 won the title undefeated, dominating the whole tournament. Candelas/Garcia downed Revuelta/Virgen in the first set, and even though the losers had a great come back in the second set it wasn’t enough.

The champs moved on to the gold medal match defeating Puerto Rico’s Yarleen Santiago and Yamileska Yantin 2-0 (21-17, 21-11).  Meanwhile, Martha Revuelta and Vanessa Virgen of MEX-1 prevailed in a three-setter semifinal against Jennifer Snyder and Heather Hughes of USA-1 21-19, 19-21 and 15-13.

“The heat and sun were intense but we made a good job,” Garcia said. “We´ve been training for the Olympic qualifier, and now we’ll be headed to Brazil and China for the Swatch FIVB World Tour.”

 “The year is beginning great, this will motivate us to work even harder and it was wonderful that Mexico made it to the finals with both teams,” added Candelas.

Yarleen Santiago and Yamileska Yantin of Puerto Rico won the bronze medal with a 2-0 (21-16, 21-19) victory over Americans Jennifer Snyder and Heather Hughes.

Women’s Semifinal: MEX-2 d. PUR 2-0 (21-17, 21-11); MEX-1 d. USA-1 2-1 (21-19, 19-21, 15-13). Bronze Medal Match: PUR d. USA-1 2-0 (21-16, 21-19). Gold Medal Match: MEX-2 d. MEX-1 2-0 (21-6, 21-19).

INSPIRATION FOR THE NEW GENERATIONS

Carolina Mendoza clinched a berth to the Olympics of
London 2012. She is only 14 years old 

TIJUANA, México.— The FINA Diving World Series will be an inspirational experience for the young divers of Baja California.

Many of them are at this time competin at the national championships as well as in preparation for the national junior olympic tournament.

Coaches of the State Program agreed that a Fina event at the stage where they practice everyday will be a special motivation.

¨We are talking about the best of the World athletes and we will see them competing here, that is a highly positive impact for our kids ¨ said Andres Romo,  who is one of the coaches assigned to the state sports program.

Beside these expectations , the Mexican Team that qualified to the olympics of London 2012 will be at their final stage in it´s own soil the prior to the most importan competition of the World.

Some other teams like China or Australia are also expected, Romo stated.

¨We will have the greatest divers who will contend for medals at the olympics¨, He said. “In one way or another this experience will be reflected in our divers¨.

Just a few days ago two, of the youngest divers in México, qualified to the olympics after a successful participation at the Fina diving World cup celebrated in London.

Mendoza participated and the diving world cup
last february in London

Carolina Mendoza and Alejandra Orozco (14 years old both) made history after clinching the olympic berth along with Beijing 2008 Bronze medalist Paola Espinosa, as well as some other experienced divers like Yahel Castillo.

Various Youngsters have been added to the Mexican roster in preparation to the olympics an are expected to be in Tijuana, Juan Sanchez, Daniel Islas and Ivan García are part of a generation produced by the national junior olympics program, promoted by the national sports comisión (CONNADE), the Mexican Olympic Committe and the state sports institutes located throughout the country that serve as regional or local sports ministries.

¨The success of these girls at the world cup, is a signal that everything is possible”, said coach Romo. “These youngsters showed that they can reach the highest level regardies ther age as long as they can prove their quality and an example of motivation”.

GERMAN COACH DIRK LANGE PAYS VISIT TO TIJUANA

Dirk Lange in a meeting with |Baja California Sports
Director, Saul Castro Verdugo.

TIJUANA, Mexico (INDE/AIPS) - German Swimming coach Dirk Lange visited the Baja California High Performance Center and held a meeting with local sports authorities as part of the project impulsed by the Mexican Swimming Federation.

Just a few weeks ago, Lange, who was in charge of South Africa’s Swimming Program , was appointed as the new National Technical Director by Mexican Federation Officers along with the National Sports Commission (CONADE).

In Tijuana Lange was received by Baja California Sports Director, Saul Castro Verdugo, who welcomed the German coach and wished a successful experience with the instructors that work along with the swimming programs throughout the country.

The visit to Baja California was the first stop of a journey across the main training centers, located in cities such as Monterrey, Queretaro, Mexico City and Guadalajara, site of the 2011 Pan Am Games and was selected by the FINA to host the 2017 World Championships.

“My job is to be in Mexico with the swimmers, with the coaches to set up a new national structure, an the other part is to be outside of Mexico assisting the teams in going out to Europe and the United States, preparing and training overseas”, said Lange.

Basically the two main goals of this project are to prepare the mexican swimmers for those Championships as well as for the Olympic cycle of Rio de Janeiro 2016.

“I see youth potential in swimming in Mexico. The facilities are actually very good for training, at the same level as the ones used by the best swimmers of the World like Michael Phelps and Cesar Cielo Filho”, he added.

Lange exchanged experiences and impressions
with some members of the local team of Baja.

In questions of infrastructure there is nothing to complain, and one of the most important steps is to work focused on the senior categories. “We can just observe the different ways of working and change the prospective of coaches view”.

At the senior level the average age of a swimmer is between 25 to 27 years
old, while in Mexico the programs have focused entirely in working with
teenagers, specifically in the under 17 group, for example.

Lange said that is the same stage as the one seen in soccer, with the Mexican U-17 teams that conquered two FIFA World Championships, in 2005 and 2011.

As an Olympic coach, Lange successfully coached Germany’s Sandra Völker, who won three medals (1 silver and 2 bronze) and Therese Alshamer, who won 2 silver and 1 bronze.

In South Africa, Lange guided the career of Cameron van der Burgh, winner of a World Cup in 2008 and World champion in 2009, as well as Gerhard Zandberg, (2007 world champion) and Ryk Neethling (3 times World champion in 2006).

Those have been some of the reasons, Mexican Swimming Federation analyzed the choices to consider him as Technical Director. At this moment Lange divides his time between Mexico and Germany. Once a diagnose has been made, the foundation for a solid project must start once the Olympic Cycle of London 2012 closes.

DIRK LANGE TAKES CHARGE OF MEXICO'S SWIMMING NATIONAL TEAMS

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Braden Keith/Swimmers Circle).- Former German National Team coach Dirk Lange, who was bought out of his contract in December, didn’t take long to hook onto a new gig. He has been hired as the new National Team coach for Mexico, according to a press release on the Mexican Swimming website.

The Mexicans aren’t looking for a quick turnaround, however. The move comes with an eye towards the 2017 World Championships, which are to be hosted in Guadalajara.

Lange during a visit to the Baja California High
Performance Center facilities in Tijuana.

Mexico has a strong base of talented swimmers, however, in the current market they all travel out of the country to train. This makes it difficult to establish a large infrastructure and culture of elite training.

Among their top swimmers, National Record holders, and participants at last year’s World Championships, at least two (Rita Medrano and Lili Ibanez) train in the United States at Texas A&M, and two others (Susana Escobar and Israel Duran) were training in Canada at last check. That means at least 4 out of the 9 participants at Worlds train out of the country (and it’s not clear where, exactly, the other 5 train).

This need to establish elite training in Mexico was evident by the comments of both Lange and the chief of Mexican swimming.

“The infrastructure in this country is focused on children and youth with what we can not aim for the medals, we must make a program that focuses on young swimmers looking for sporting maturity, we must work on the technical and physical to see strong performances. this is one of the problems that are so young they do not have all that, which is achieved through years of work and not just a few months, ” Lange said.

Lange with one of the coaches in Mexico. Ascanio
Fernández Pinto, was an Olympic coach in Sydney 2000
for the Mexican Team, now he works as Acquatics
Coordinator in the Baja California Sports and Physical
Culture Institute.

The pair toured the altituude training facility in San Luis Potosi, and made some very interesting comments afterwards. Lange said of the area ”if teams like Brazil and the United States and Michael Phelps Cesar Cielo, come to train here in preparation towards different skills, why not take advantage of the Mexicans?”

He was referring specifically to the Brazilian PRO16 group that  just left the facility after weeks of intensive training. The spot is one of the most popular altitude-training destinations in the world, with large groups from the US and Australia also having worked there in the past year.

Mexico certainly has enough quality facilities to succeed. And though there were some well-earned criticisms of Lange’s tenure in Germany, he has the experience and credentials to bring this elite swimming atmosphere to Mexico.

Prior to Germany, Lange was the National Team Coach in South Africa from 2005-2008. My guess is that Lange will take a very hands-on, day-to-day approach to the coaching of the Mexican National Team (at least those who are training in the country), as compared to what might be seen in larger federations like the United States and Germany, where the job entails more high-level planning and guidance.

Published with Information of Swimmerscircle.com and the Mexican Swimming Federation(fmn.org.mx).

STATEMENT BY THE BAJA CALIFORNIA SPORTS DIRECTOR, SAUL CASTRO VERDUGO

Local Organizing Committee CEO,
Saul Castro Verdugo.

TIJUANA, Mexico.- “We are aware of the commitment and we also have that previous experience achieved in many International events like this, but we want to improve that experience this time”, stated Baja California Sports Director, Saul Castro Verdugo.

“Almost at the same time, we will host other events such as an International Cup, the Norceca’s Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and during the competition there will be many national teams and delegations arriving from many countries”, Castro added.

Mexico will host the last of the four dates that are part of the FINA Diving World Series Calendar along with Dubai; Beijing, China and Moscow, Russia. The competition in Tijuana is scheduled on April 20 and 21st.

“We are expecting to have the best divers of the World with the Olympic Games of London 2012 just around the corner, and this will be a unique opportunity at home in a very important year”, said Acosta.

For the fifth time, Mexico will host the Diving World Series, and the same time, this is a parameter of preparation on the road to the 2017 FINA World Championships that will be held in Guadalajara, host city of the 2011 Pan American Games.

FIRST PRELIMINARY INSPECTION HELD BY MEXICAN FEDERATION OFFICERS, SUCCESFULLY MADE IN TIJUANA

The inspection was held at the Acquatic Complex.

TIJUANA, Mexico.— The first inspection visit made by Mexican Swimming Federation Officers to the Baja California’s Aquatic Complex prior to the FINA Diving World Series was completed.

Mexican Federation Diving Vicepresident, Alberto Acosta, and Diving Control Coordinator Juan Colin held also a meeting with the Local Organizing Committee represented by the Baja California Sports and Physical Culture Institute.

A tour around the facilities was part on the inspection to check details  about the technical areas as well as the adequation of spaces that will be used by the competitors, media and special guests.

After some events that have been previously held in Mexico, the Federation Officers expect a succesful competition on the last day of the Series. 

“The previous experience achieved due to some other events in the country will be useful when talking about technical issues”, said Acosta.

But despite that, the Federation as well as the Local Organizing Committee want to give an extra for the event. 

“We want to give a special touch to it, and one of the best ways to do it is with a special attention and hospitality for our visitors”, said Acosta.

Four years ago, when the Series took place for the first time in Tijuana, FINA member and Life Honorary President, Eldon Godfrey was very satisfied with the work done by the Baja California Sports Institute as well as the Mexican Federation.

MEXICAN SWIMMING FEDERATION OFFICERS SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH LOCAL COMMITTEE

TIJUANA, Mexico.— Mexican Swimming Federation Officers will meet the Fina Diving World Series Local Organizing Committe in Tijuana, as part of an inspection visit.

Meetings take place at the High Performance Center Offices

The Mexican Federation will have also a meeting to review all the updates in preparation to the event scheduled on April 20 and 21 at the HIgh Performance Aquatic Complex.

The Organizing Committee will show issues about the Medical, Technical and Facilities commissions, as well as the work of the Administration, Press, Public Relations, Marketing, Accreditation, Lodging and Transportation Areas.

Previously this week, the Local Committee conformed by personnel of the Baja California Sports and Physical Culture Institute, held an internal meeting where some aspects were discussed like the agreeements with the official hospitals and Hotels as well as the close coordination with the Mexican Sports Ministry, known as the National Sports Commission (CONADE).

Baja California Sports and Physical Culture Director, Saul Castro Verdugo, stated that all the updates will be presented to the Federation Officers this friday at the High Performance Center.

At the same time a tour and inspection of the pool is scheduled to check every area in the facilities that will have some changes and adaptations for the event.

The adaptations will take place after february 20th once the inspections have been completed.

The arrival of FINA Committee Members is scheduled on April 18th while delegations and competing teams are expected to arrive on April 19th. 

On that same date the Committee’s Meeting will take place, and the Technical Meeting on April 20th marking the start of the competition.

50 TO 60 COMPETITORS FOR THE FINA DIVING WORLD SERIES IN BAJA ARE EXPECTED

Media coverage from many countries will be part of
this special celebration.

TIJUANA, Mexico.- A total of 50 to 60 divers are expected, as well as 20 to 30 coaches and 12 to 15 international judges.


“We will review constantly all the progress in preparation for the team, thus we will held many meetings from here until the start and during the event”, said the Baja California Sports Director.

Baja California will be the fourth stop of the Series that start next March in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and then will continue in Beijing, China. The third stop is scheduled by the second week of April in Moscow, Russia, and closes in Mexico.

In 2008, the Series had a great impact because the Mexican fans had the chance to see great divers like Chinese sensation and Olympic Champion Jin Jin Guo, Russian legend Dimitri Sautin, and Mexico’s Paola Espinosa and Tatiana Ortiz, who became bronze medalist in the synchronized competition in Beijing.

At the same time the celebration of the FINA Diving Series in this region of Mexico helped to develop the State’s sponsored Young Talents Program that has become a very important piece in a long-term preparation process for the future generations in years to come.

BAJA CALIFORNIA PREPARES FOR THE FINA DIVING WORLD SERIES

Paola Espinosa is expected to take part
at this competition.

TIJUANA, Mexico. — The city of Tijuana will host the FINA Diving World Series from the 18^th Thru the 22^nd of April at the Aquatic Complex of the Baja California High Performance Center.

This year the event will have a special taste for the local, national and foreign fans that wish to attend due to the proximity of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Many of the divers who will participate in this two-day competition will prepare at this stop prior to the Games in London. 

“We are working hard to have a great competition and to host a great event, we take it seriously and are very enthusiastic”, said Saul Castro Verdugo, General Director of the Baja California Sports Institute and head of the Organizing Committee.

All the commissions took part this week in a meeting where many aspects such as lodging, promotion, media coverage, security, food, transportation and medical service were analyzed.

Competition dates are scheduled on April 20^th and 21^st, but the entire competition atmosphere will start from April 18^th, with the arrival of the FINA Committee Members, followed by the Athletes and the development of the Previous Technical Meeting.

“It is a wonderful experience, the first time we hosted it was sold out for the both days of competition and generated a positive impact in our community”, added Castro Verdugo.