Portugal-based professional volleyballer Marc-Anthony Honore is expected to be available for to represent T&T at the North America, Central America and the Caribbean Confederation (Norceca) Men’s Continental Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The one-week tournament will be held from May 7-12 at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California. Honore’s availability was confirmed by national senior and Under-23 men’s coach, Gideon Dickson when contacted yesterday. The lanky Honore who plays the middle-blocker position recently helped SL Benfica to its 14th Portuguese Cup with a 21-25, 25-12, 25-16, 25-15 victory over AA Espinho recently and it was thought he may be forced to miss the Olympic qualifiers due to club commitments. However, Dickson said that issue has now been sorted out and Honore be included in the T&T team to play its Pool B matches against reigning Olympic champion USA, Mexico and Costa Rica.
Pool A comprises Cuba, Canada, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. The tournament winner will qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London representing the Norceca. Dickson added, “Honore’s club (Benfica) has qualified for the Champion ship playoffs in Portugal and the first two matches are scheduled for April 28 and May 1. “If his team sweeps the best-of-three series he will link up with the T&T team by May 3, but if they are taken to a third and final match (May 5) he will arrive on May 6 or the day of the opening match against the Americans. The T&T coach also noted that Honore is also awaiting the regularisation of his European Residency VISA, which will allow him easy entry back into Portugal. “He is expected to get confirmation on his VISA status very soon so we are keeping our fingers cross and looking forward to him joining the team in Los Angeles.
-Nigel Simon
Source: www.guardian.co.tt