THE EDITOR, Sir:

As president of the Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA), I am very pleased that you think enough about our sport to write about it in this week's blog post 'Beach volleyball: another possible opportunity for Jamaica'.

In a lot of ways, I agree with the writer's thoughts - from the infrastructural requirements, to the compatibility with the Jamaican landscape, to the need to take the game to the actual beaches, to the impact we could have on the game internationally.

There are a few matters of fact that the blog writer is reasonably ignorant of, but in general terms, I agree with the writer.

By way of information, the Just Bet/TVJ SN Beach Volleyball League that was launched earlier this week was intended (at the conceptual stage) to be a real roadshow, with matches being played in Ocho Rios, MoBay, Negril, Treasure Beach, Fort Clarence, Lyssons, Frenchman's Cove and, of course, Barbican Beach.

The process of making a decision, though, is just that - a process. It is informed by one's intent as a significant factor, but is influenced by other important factors, for example, sponsorship, timing, costs, available manpower, and logistic support, etc.

many determining factors

I crave the writer's confidence in believing that the decision to settle for a Beach Volleyball League that is stationed at a venue that is not a beach fell out of due consideration of the pertinent factors.

I'll depart from that point at this juncture, however, because, as I said, I agree with the points the writer made, and so I don't want to sound as though I am trying to defend the decision of the association in this regard.

Maybe the writer would have heard that the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) also shares the writer's view and has asked Jamaica to consider hosting the 2013 World Junior Beach Volleyball Championships. This would be a major undertaking, one which I personally relish the thought of taking on.

Yet there are some important considerations to be given, primarily to the source of funding. Also, surely we could not think of hosting it at Barbican's beach facility.

I take the writer's point, but wish to also indicate that proper sports administration goes a lot deeper than nice intent. There is a real world out there in which it has to be realised.

Finally, I wish to again thank you for giving thought to our sport and for expressing it in what is a highly reputable print media.

WARRENTON DIXON (Major)

President, JaVA

volleyjamaica@yahoo.com