Sunday June 3rd in Oostakker, a suburb of Ghent (and only 5km from the city center), the club Chon-ji in cooperation with the ITF-Belgium U&T Committee, organized the Open Ghent Cup.

It was the second time this championship was being held, although last year it was called the Open Challenge Cup.

The venue, Edugo Arena, is a very new sports hall, especially build for the volleyball team of Ghent, which is playing in the Belgian premier volleyball league. It has all possible facilities: a very spacious and nice main polyvalent hall, meeting rooms, separated tribunes etc.

On this June 3rd 219 participants competed, coming from 18 clubs and 4 countries: Belgium, GD Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Germany.

Coloured as well as black belts, youth, juniors and seniors competed in tul, sparring and special techniques. For the kids 3-7 years there was also kids sparring, without contact. The youngest participants were judged on their performance.

With 30 umpires and over 40 volunteers the championship went on in a smooth way.

As the feedback was positive, the organizers intend to hold this championship on yearly basis. So put the date already in your agenda and keep the first weekend of June 2019 open!

Master Annick Van Driessche
President ITF-Belgium