Sport symbolises a beginning of something, a dream to an individual and to a team. It also has an end which we all look forward to when we compete in a competition either a win or a loss.

This was the message from the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) president Dr Robin Mitchell when opening the 2016 Oceania Zonal Volleyball Championship and the World Qualification Rounds Phase One at the Vodafone Arena, Suva yesterday.

“Fiji is hosting the Oceania zonal championship after 26 years, this is indeed a milestone for the sport of volleyball and Fiji as a country,” he said.

“Hosting of volleyball events in Fiji signifies the relationship amongst Oceania volleyball and the trust bestowed upon the volleyball administrators of Fiji to host such events.”

Fiji is a member of the international body (FIVB), the Asian Volleyball Confederation and the Oceania Zonal Volleyball Association.

“This week should mark another stage in the renewal of contacts, relationships as well share ideas on mutual interests with delegates from member countries of the region.

“Each one of you is here because of sports, you are here maybe because it has been quite a while since you had the opportunity to visit Fiji again,” Mitchell said.

The Fijian men’s alongside New Zealand and Tonga will battle for the World Championship spot while Solomon Islands and Cook Islands compete for the zonal championship.

In the women’s division, the Fijians have qualified for the phase two of qualifiers of the world championship and will now battle their Pacific sisters Solomon Islands and Cook Islands for the zonal championship.