Tokyo, April 18, 2006 : For some it will be a new experience; for others it will be another chance to show off their city to an international audience.
As teams around the world prepare for the new international volleyball season, culminating in the World Championships, cities in Japan are continuing plans to be the perfect host.
Wajima City, in Ishikawa Prefecture, will host the French team ahead of the men's World Championships. Situated on the Japan Sea coast, Wajima is a very traditional city famous for the Sojiji Temple, its seafood, notably snow crab and Noto yellowtail, and for its distinctive lacquerware.
By welcoming a 20-strong delegation from France for a one-week camp, the city hopes to promote international exchange through volleyball.
The team will train at the Sun-Arena, whose facilities include a swimming pool and gym, before moving south to Fukuoka for Pool B games against reigning world champions Brazil, Greece, Cuba, Australia and Germany.
Two towns in the picturesque Toyama Prefecture will host teams for training camps.
For Nanto City it will be the first such experience, as they prepare to welcome the Turkish women's team. Nanto's neighbour, Tonami City, is the sister city of Yalova in Turkey, so Turkish culture is not completely new to the region. The team will train at Fukunomachi Gym.
Uozu City was one of the hosts for the men's event at the 1998 World Championships, and this time will provide training facilities for the Bulgarian men's team at the magnificent Ariso Dome, also known as the Uozu Techno Sports Dome.
With their experience from eight years ago, volleyball officials are confident the camp will be a success.
