Tokyo, October 27, 2006: Japan's two national teams received a grand and glittering send-off at the Tokyo Prince Hotel Park Tower on Thursday evening.
The popular two-boy band WaT (Wentz and Teppei) performed a high-octane rendition of the World Championships' official theme song, “Ready Go!”, as Japan's men's and women's teams clapped along behind them on stage in the hotel's luxurious ballroom.
“Ready Go!” will be released on November 1, and the catchy anthem will be heard in gymnasiums around Japan during the 2006 FIVB World Championships, which will take place in 12 venues in 10 cities from October 31 to December 3.
World Championships host broadcaster TBS had been following the Japanese players around the ballroom as they chatted with guests, posed for photographs and enjoyed the sumptuous dinner buffet.
The VIPs at the lavish send-off party included FIVB President Dr. Ruben Acosta and his wife, Malu, who had been the driving force behind the highly-successful 30th FIVB World Congress. The Congress took place from October 23-25 at the Tokyo Prince Hotel Park Tower and attracted representatives from 196 of the FIVB's 219 affiliated national federations.
With the women's World Championships due to start in four cities on Tuesday, October 31, ticket agent Ticket Pia reports pre-event sales of around 40 per cent, or 73,000 of the tickets available for the 104 matches.
The men's World Championships will start on November 17 and run to December 3.
