Volleyball Joins Sustainability Project -- Federation Focus

(ATR) The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) teams up with marine conservation group Ghost Fishing Foundation on a sustainability project.

Good Net was launched on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, the site of the beach volleyball tournament for the 2016 Olympics. The project is designed to recover discarded fishing nets from the world’s oceans and use many to be recycled into volleyball nets for communities around the world.

"As volleyball players, nets are at the centre of our game and of our joy. And we love the beach. So, for us, it was really hard to learn that, in the oceans, there are so many nets that are doing so much harm out of sight," said Brazilian volleyball star Giba, speaking at the launch.

Every year, 640,000 tons of fishing gear finds its way into the oceans, where it continues to trap marine wildlife, including whales, dolphins, turtles and fish of all kinds.

Good Net has also joined the United Nations (UN) Clean Seas campaign in the fight against marine plastic pollution.

"The key to advancing global sustainable development lies in collaboration," said Julie Duffus, Sustainability Manager at the IOC. "We are thrilled that the FIVB has joined the Clean Seas initiative. Together, we can use the power of sport to help tackle pollution and make an active contribution to society and the environment. Ghost nets are among the greatest threats to our ocean’s biodiversity, and as part of their Good Net project, FIVB are championing innovative solutions to tackle this global issue".

World Karate Intervenes in Irish Power Struggle

The World Karate Federation has waded into a karate dispute in Ireland that threatens to derail the country’s qualification campaign for the Tokyo Olympics.

Political infighting has divided Irish karate into two bodies and led to the removal of national coaches late last year, upsetting the nation’s karatekas and their preparations for Tokyo 2020.

Both the ONAKAI [Official National Amateur Karate Association of Ireland] and Karate Ireland ONAKAI have been in conflict for many months over who should lead the governing body for the sport in Ireland.

The bitter row has resulted in the formation of two executive committees in the national federation. Karate Ireland ONAKAI is recognized by the Irish Sports Council and Olympic Council of Ireland, but the rival group is recognized as the legitimate body by the WKF.

With no solution in the feud in sight ahead of the EKF European Championships taking place in Guadalajara, Spain next week, karate’s global governing body has stepped in to ensure all Irish fighters can participate.

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World Figure Skating Championships Underway

The World Figure Skating Championships are in Saitama, Japan through March 24.

PyeongChang Olympic gold medalist Alina Zagitova of Russia is seeking her first World Figure Skating title and is off to a great start. She is in first place after the women’s individual short program on Wednesday.

On the men’s side, double Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan says he is 100 percent fit and aims to win his third world title and the second on home soil.

The event is being held at the Saitama Super Arena, which will be the venue for the men’s and women’s basketball competitions for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Written by Gerard Farekand Mark Bisson

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