The World ParaVolley Board of Directors has confirmed that the Tokyo 2020 Men’s Final Qualifier competition move forward as planned on 1-5 June 2021, in Duisburg, Germany.

The Board of Directors recently met with representatives of the Local Organising Committee (NPC Germany), to discuss event preparations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  World ParaVolley and the LOC have been working very closely together to ensure that all COVID-19 risk assessments are carried out, and that all risk mitigations are in place to be able to present an event that is as safe as possible for all participants.

World ParaVolley President Mr. Barry Couzner OAM said: “On behalf of World ParaVolley I am very pleased that the Board saw fit to ‘give the green light’ for NPC Germany to proceed with the Tokyo 2020 Men’s Final Qualifier in June.  The LOC has done a great job to mitigate the COVID-19 risks in cooperation with the Technical Delegate, Toralv Thorkildsen and the WPV Medical Director, Louise Ashcroft.  I look forward to observing the matches remotely and hope that all of the detailed planning is rewarded by a successful event for the athletes.”

NPC Germany President Mr. Friedhelm Julius Beucher echoed Couzner’s comments: “The Corona pandemic continues to keep the world and also Germany on tenterhooks and stay a huge matter of concern. Nevertheless, we remain confident that we will be able to hold the Men’s Sitting Volleyball Qualifying Tournament in Duisburg under good conditions and as safely as possible for everyone involved. We are convinced that the extensive concepts as well as the many-fold precautions in the run-up and on site, which our organising committee has worked out together with World ParaVolley, will help to significantly reduce the risk of infection. For this reason, we continue to look forward to exciting games for the last ticket to the Paralympics in Tokyo.”

World ParaVolley Medical Director, Ms. Louise Ashcroft reinforced the importance of ensuring health and safety at the event:  “The health and safety of World ParaVolley athletes is our top priority in planning the Final Men’s qualifier event for Tokyo 2020 in 2021.  We will continue to work hard with the Local Organizing Committee, the local health authority in Duisburg, and with the teams and participants to mitigate risks to support a safe and successful event”.

The event will take place from June 1-5 in Duisburg, Germany, with teams from Germany, Canada, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and USA competing for the coveted final spot for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.