On March 8, 2026, President Mushtaque Mohammed convened a strategic ZOOM
meeting with 12 National Federations to coordinate the upcoming volleyball calendar
and regional development. The session highlighted both the expansion of Caribbean
volleyball and the logistical hurdles facing member nations.
Tournament Hosting Updates
The centerpiece of the discussion was the scheduling of the Under-19 and Under-21
Men’s and Women’s Championships.
– Confirmed Host: Curacao has officially agreed to host the Under-19 Men’s
tournament.
– Tentative Hosting: Trinidad and Tobago has tentatively agreed to host the
Women’s event in Tobago, with final details expected this week.
– Future Planning: The board is seeking hosts for three remaining events among
seven available federations, with a preference for co-hosting U19 and U21 Men’s
events to reduce travel costs.
– 2027 Outlook: Members unable to host in 2026 are being encouraged to
volunteer for the 2027 schedule, which already has four events planned.
Regional Challenges & Venue Availability
Several federations shared updates on the constraints affecting their ability to host
indoor events this season:
-Jamaica: Venues are unavailable until late August or early September due to the
start of the school year.
– Aruba: The federation is currently focusing on a youth beach tournament,
making indoor hosting impossible.
– Cayman Islands: Hosting is currently unfeasible due to high hotel costs.
– Haiti: While Cap-Haitien was discussed as a potential future site due to its
community accessibility, concerns remain regarding security and political stability.
Development & Global Engagement
President Mohammed emphasized the importance of the FIVB Volleyball
Empowerment Programs. While nine members are eligible for funding and support in
areas like coaching and refereeing, only one federation has applied thus far.
Additionally, federations were urged to submit honest responses to the FIVB
development survey to ensure the international body fully understands the specific
needs and financial constraints of the Caribbean zone.
Boosting the CAZOVA Profile
The meeting concluded with a call for enhanced digital presence. Audley Weir
(Jamaica) and General Secretary Jacqueline Cowan emphasized that stronger social
media engagement is essential to elevating the profile of volleyball across the region.
Federations have been asked to provide updated social media handles and contact
information to improve zone-wide communication.
