The first Beach ParaVolley World Series Open got underway in colourful fashion with a firework display at Pingtan, China today ©World ParaVolley

Barry Couzner, President of World ParaVolley, restated his event’s Paralympic ambitions for Los Angeles 2028 today as the first Beach ParaVolley World Series Open got underway in Pingtan in China.

"All dreams have a beginning," said Couzner, whose goal is to see standing beach ParaVolley become a Paralympic discipline.

"The 2019 Pingtan Beach World Series Open represents the beginning of a process to achieving an ambitious goal for World ParaVolley athletes – that of participation as a new discipline in the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

"This historic event World Series event in Pingtan has shown that there is a demand for Beach ParaVolley from athletes across the world and I know that this demand will only grow in the future.

"Here in Pingtan we have created history."

"All dreams have a beginning" said World ParaVolley President Barry Couzner as the first Beach ParaVolley World Open event started in China today ©World ParaVolley

Couzner added: "I look forward to witnessing the very first World Series event for World ParaVolley athletes as we begin to realise the dream."

Couzner was speaking at a Opening Ceremony marked by dance performances and a colourful fireworks display at the event venue of Longwangtou Beach in Fuzhou.

A total of 33 athletes representing seven nations are competing, comprising nine men’s and two women’s teams.

China captain Wu Kia, went on o make the historic first serve, and India 1’s Abhisek Aluwala scored the first point of the tournament with a strong spike.

India 1’s Deewarata/Aluwala/Mallick won the first match over China’s Wu/Wei/Ma 21-17, 11-21, 15-8.