Australasia's top trio of Australia, New Zealand and Japan take the sands in the men's and women's sections of the competition.

Volleyball hit the beaches at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as a medal sport with aplomb.

With its roaring popularity the world over, Mumbai fans will now sample the thrill, excitement and vibrant sensuality that the beach version of the sport provides, according to Anil Singh of promoters Procam Sports at a `floating press conference' off the Gateway of India, last evening.

The event, co-sponsored by Guestline Hotels and Resorts and San Miguel, is to held under the auspices of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and the Volleyball Federation of India. A total of US $ 20,000 prize money is on offer.

India will field two teams in the men's section and one in the women's.Other participating sides in straight knock-outcompetition are: Men's (10 teams): Japan, New Zealand, Thailand (two teams), Australia, Bahrain, Korea (two teams). Women (Eight teams): India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand (two teams), Hong Kong.

India's `A' team comprises Mohammed Ghouse and Jameluddin while the `B' team will field Raj Kumar and Omar (all from Andhra Pradesh).

The women's team has Rukhsana and Sujata (both from Tamil Nadu).

Beach, ball and bathing suits

The Bacardi Asian Beach Volleyball championships raised a political sandstorm on two issues -- dress code and traffic restrictions on the beach front.

At last night's novel press conference aboard a boat that set sail from the Gateway of India, Procam Managing Director Anil Singh revealed that the promoters have written to the Asian body inquiring whether they have a right of say on the matter of players' attire.

The city's conscience has been awakened by morality campaigns in recent times and the thought of skimpily-clad women players have evoked irein certain quarters.

The traffic department have given the event the green signal and happily, the problem of dress appears to be diminishing. Anil Singh stressed, however, that the promoters and organisers are sensitive to the cultural ethos of the land and hope to work out a solution if empowered to by the Asian Confederation.

In the meantime, he educated the group of eager listeners on two-piece bathing suits. Women players will wear a sports top, which along with briefs are not bikinis as commonly referred to.

Whatever the term, the attire is suggestive -- of the fact that beach volleyball is as good a sport as any to develop perfectly pruned bodies!