Athletes from 22 Countries Stream to Samui Open Beach Volleyball Tournament
120 athletes from 22 countries competed in thrilling play at the 4th annual Samui Open Beach Volleyball Tournament, presented by Bangkok Airways and held 21-23 Feb 2020 on Choeng Mon beach, Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand.
All of the 68 team spots were filled in advance by athletes from Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia, along with local Thai team national players. However, after all spots were filled some cancellations began coming in due to Coronavirus concerns. Fortunately a waiting list filled in for those unable to travel. But, Mother Nature had more challenges in store.
On top of travel concerns unexpected high tides, strong winds, rainstorms and other location challenges necessitated last minute tournament location changes. This resulted in the Tourism Association of Koh Samui (TAKS) and Biggs Island Productions (BIP) along with volunteers coming together quickly in building, tearing down and moving 3 courts to 3 different locations in an 18 hour period!
It was all well worthwhile as the games got underway with the sun shining as the games commenced right on schedule, at the Royal Muang Samui Villas beach in Choeng Mon on the beautiful island of Koh Samui, Thailand. Superb play throughout the 3 days of games was on order and the Russian Men’s Doubles team won 1st place and the Russia and Ukraine team won 1st place for the Women’s Doubles.
The 2020 beach volleyball tournament brought together 68 teams of 120 athletes competing in exciting matches in 4 separate divisions (Men’s 2X2, Women’s 2X2, Mix 2X2 and 4X4 Quads). At the close of the tournament THB100,000 in prize money was awarded to tournament winners along with medals, sponsor goodie bags, tank tops, board shorts and bikinis. “All entry fees from the tournament went back to the tournament winners with a portion of entry and sponsorship fees donated to the Special Needs School of Samui”, added Tournament Director Cord Biggs.
Players gathered the night prior to the first day of competition at an amazing ‘Welcome’ hosted by Seen Beach Club on Chaweng Beach as the tournament was officially opened by the Sheriff of Koh Samui at Seen’s Opening Ceremony/Welcome Party. Following the daily match games, ‘After Parties’ were hosted by Seen Beach Club and Hooters. Tournament spectators were thrilled by amazing beach volleyball play and players and spectators were entertained by dancers from the world-renown ‘Hooters Girls’.
The tournament was originated by organiser Biggs Island Productions in 2016 in recognising the growing global interest in Beach Volleyball notes Cord Biggs, commenting, “Our turnout of international players for an event of this type proves how important the tournament is in Thailand and we are proud to promote beach volleyball in South East Asia and on our beautiful island of Koh Samui”.
The international event is the biggest event of its type and is presented by Bangkok Airways in association with sponsoring Tourism Association of Koh Samui (TAKS) and Biggs Island Productions (BIP) and support from the Tourism Association of Thailand (TAT), Chang Beer, Koh Samui Municipality and Tourism Council of Suratthani.
“Along with our main sponsors, sincere appreciation is also given to our Island Supporters including AIS, 69 Slam, SuperPro Samui, Hooters Samui, Surat Baansuay, Elite Havens, Barefoot Luxury Villa’s, Synergy Resort, Phensiri Restaurant, Armani Suits Int., Juice Queen, Zazen Boutique Resort, Crawshaws Solicitor, Pornlada Hotel Supply, The Shack Samui, Petcharat Marina, Le Murraya Boutique Hotel, Beauty Smile Dental Clinic, Tradewinds Resort and Samui Green Hotel”, added the director.
Sun-kissed white sandy beaches and a vibrant nightlife make Koh Samui the perfect location for this crowd-pleasing beach volleyball tournament. For further tournament information and images/video visit facebook.com/events/2464806967093565/
Contact: info@BiggsIslandProductions.com Tel: +66(0)898737172
Photo credit: Samui Beach Volleyball Tournament by Antonio Tadeu Dias
