Men's division added to GUV Cup

CEBU, Philippines - After three years of clamor, the men's division will finally be included in the fifth season of the GUV Cup volleyball competition set to kick off next month. This was formally announced by no less than Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia during the launching of the 5th GUV Cup, horse show and airsoft competitions yesterday at the Capitol Social Hall.

The GUV Cup is originally intended for women players only but after constant prodding, Garcia gave her nod to insert the men's division in the province-wide contest.

“It’s been three years already that there is strong clamor for the inclusion of the men’s division. We shared this to Gov. Garcia and what she would always tell us is ‘we’ll see in the future’. This year when we were asked how viable are the men’s teams, there are a lot of teams which are ready for the competition,” said Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA) director for development affairs Jerry Winona Catipay.

So far, Catipay said that at least 25 teams have already signified their intent to join the tournament.

With this latest development, Catipay said that this year’s GUV will surely be bigger and grander.

“Our athletes in the provinces will get the same privilege like the girls. The door is open for them to be where the women are now, to be scouted by coaches and later on have scholarship grants from the different universities and at the same time get a chance to compete internationally,” Catipay said.

“This would be great venue for the youth who are sports-minded. There would be a high level of competition at stake from the different participating municipalities," she added.

Meanwhile, the third season of the GUV Cup horse show and competition will already have the north and south qualifying races. The winners of each race will be merged as one team to represent the province for the February event next year.

The recently-concluded GUV Cup Airsoft Open, on the other hand, is now on its second edition and will be spread to the islands of Bantayan and Camotes due to the successful sports tourism that this sport brings to every municipality. – Marigold P. Lebumfacil   (THE FREEMAN)