Fifty-two balls donated to the Cook Islands Volleyball Federation by the Japan Volleyball Association will boost and encourage the sport on the island, says the federation president.

Hugh Graham, who is also a board member of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), adds the timely donation will boost the federation’s development efforts.

Graham said the president of Japan Volleyball was also on the FIVB board and during their discussions he made a request for a few beach volleyballs to help with their development.

“As a result, in conjunction with the Japan Embassy and Honorary Consul here John Webb, they were able to send over about 52 quality beach volleyballs.”

Webb, the HonoraryConsul-General of Japan to the Cook Islands, said: “Sports play a significant role in promoting healthy and active lifestyles, and I want to congratulate the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee, also known as CISNOC, for taking such a proactive approach to developing sports in the Cook Islands. Looking around me, I can see that sports development begins at an early age.”

“I am pleased to officially hand over a set of high-quality volleyball equipment donated by the Japan Volleyball Association to the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee. We hope this donation will greatly benefit the Committee’s efforts to promote volleyball in the Cook Islands.

“Japan has a long-standing commitment to supporting sports development programmes around the world, and we are proud to be able to support the Cook Islands. We hope this donation will help to inspire young athletes to pursue their passion for sports and lead healthy, active lives.”