[UPDATED] Sand arrives for Commonwealth Youth Games beach volleyball in Tobago

DESPITE the special grade of sand for beach volleyball at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games arriving over a month late, Olympic Committee president Dianne Henderson is assuring the public there will be no changes to the sport's schedule.

TT will host the games for the first time which will begin on August 4 and end on August 11.

Over 1,000 athletes representing 70 countries will compete in athletics/para-athletics, cycling, swimming, triathlon, rugby sevens, beach volleyball and fast five netball.

Beach volleyball was initially set to be held at Pigeon Point Beach, Tobago but in April, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) opted for a facility at Black Rock.

On Saturday, during an interview on I955 FM, Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe said the sand was not yet here from Guyana and that she and the committee were worried.

She said the THA told her it would be shipped from Guyana around 1 am on Saturday and arrive on Sunday by 2am.

She said all facilities were supposed to be ready by the end of June and that test/practice matches were to be held in July.

In addition, she said, she had been trying to get in contact with THA executives to discuss this hurdle for weeks but to no avail.

She had said, "(We) commend the THA on really pursuing this initiative but the truth is, we are not at the stage of completion because the sand is not here."

Special types of sand are used for this sport to prevent the bruising and irritation of players' skin, and large dust clouds, among other things.

Last week, Cudjoe said, she saw THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine at an event where she spoke to him about the issue.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Cudjoe said the sand finally arrived, adding: "Better late than never!

"Hoping to get a test match in before Friday.

"As the saying goes, 'God will help us.' Commonwealth Youth Games Trinbago 2023. Let’s go!"

During both interviews, Cudjoe had said the schedule for beach volleyball – which begins on Saturday – may need to be shifted owing to this delay.

Speaking to Newsday on Monday, Henderson said the sand is now being "spread out appropriately.

"No schedule will be shifted. The schedule stands."

She could not say what Guyanese company the sand was bought from.

The other venues to be used for the games are the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the National Aquatic Centre, the National Cycling Velodrome, the Shaw Park Cultural Complex and the Buccoo Beach Facility.

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

DESPITE the special grade of sand for beach volleyball at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games arriving over a month late, Olympic Committee president Dianne Henderson is assuring the public there will be no changes to the sport's schedule.

Trinidad and Tobago will host the games for the first time which will begin on August 4 and end August 11.

Over 1,000 athletes representing 70 countries will compete in athletics/para-athletics, cycling, swimming, triathlon, rugby sevens, beach volleyball and fast five netball.

Beach volleyball was initially set to be held at Pigeon Point Beach, Tobago but in April, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) opted for a facility at Black Rock.

On Saturday, during an interview on I955 FM, Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe said the sand was not yet here from Guyana and that she and the committee were worried.

She said the THA told her it would be shipped from Guyana around 1 am on Saturday and arrive on Sunday by 2am.

She said all facilities were supposed to be ready by the end of June and that test/practice matches were to be held in July.

In addition, she said, she had been trying to get in contact with THA executives to discuss this hurdle for weeks but to no avail.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, she said the sand finally arrived, adding: "Better late than never!

"Hoping to get a test match in before Friday.

"As the saying goes, 'God will help us.' Commonwealth Youth Games Trinbago 2023. Let’s go!"

During both interviews, Cudjoe had said the schedule for beach volleyball – which begins on Saturday – may need to be shifted owing to this delay.

Speaking to Newsday on Monday, Henderson said the sand is now being "spread out appropriately.

"No schedule will be shifted. The schedule stands."

She added that a press release with updates on the games will be issued later today.