2016 AVC competitions draw huge interest

 
Powerhouses China, Japan, Iran and Chinese Taipei emerged as the only four teams to confirm their participation in all six indoor volleyball competition to be held this year by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC).
The Confederation has recently released the 2016-2019 competition calendar and its 65 affiliated member countries paid tremendous attention in hosting those competitions. In 2006 in particular, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam and India have already received the AVC’s green light to host the tournaments.

However, among the six competitions to be held this year, only China, Japan, Chinese Taipei and Iran have confirmed their participation in all events, with the 18th Asian Men’s U20 Championship attracting a large number of 21 teams. Among 65 affiliated member countries, only 37 have shown no interest in contesting any AVC competition in 2016.

Chinese Taipei will kick the AVC competitions in 2016 off in the 18th Men’s U20 Volleyball Championship as they will host the prestigious tournament from July 9 to 17. So far, a total of 21 countries have already confirmed their participation in the top-flight competition, which will serve as the qualification tournament for the 2017 Men’s U21 World Championship.

Reigning champions Iran will return for their title defence in Chinese Taipei, with tough challenges expected from Korea and China.

The indoor volleyball will then take centre stage in Thailand as they will host the 18th Women’s U19 Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, in which the top-flight tournament was held ten years ago in 2006. Only Korea, Japan and China dominated the biennial competition, with the formidable Chinese ruling the roost with 11 titles including the previous edition in 2014 in Chinese Taipei.

So far, a total of 15 countries have been confirmed to strut their stuff in the thrilling tournament in Thailand, which is due to take place from July 23 to 31.

After a great success in organising the last year’s inaugural Men’s U23 Championship in Nay Pyi Taw,bj Myanmar will this year host the 2016 Asian Men’s Club Championship, where 17 countries have already submitted their entries to be pitted against one another. Surprisingly, as the entry will be closed on January 16, Korea, one of the strong teams to be reckoned with, have yet confirmed to send their club team to the Myanmar meet, due to be held during August 23 and 31. Korea’s Sangmu finished a disappointing sixth place in the previous edition in Chinese Taipei last year, while in the 2014 edition in Pasay, the Philippines, Korea did not send any team to the Asian Men’s Club Championship.

Meanwhile, the 2016 Asian Women’s Club Championship will take place in the Philippines from September 3 to 11. A total of 13 teams are expected to take part in the championship, from which Bangkok Glass VC emerged as the first club team ever from Thailand to capture the last year’s crown in Ha Nam, Vietnam following their stunning victory over title-holders Hisamitsu Springs from Japan in the final showdown.

The remaining two competitions will be the 5th AVC Cup for Women in Vietnam from September 12 to 18 and the 5th AVC Cup for Men in India between September 19 and 25, with eight teams apiece competing in both competitions.

Since only top eight teams each from the previous Asian Senior Men’s and Women’s Championships will make the cut for the respective AVC Cup for Men and Women, eight teams have confirmed their participation in both events.
Nevertheless, in the AVC Cup for Men in India, Thailand finished eighth in the previous episode in Chinese Taipei, but India has already gotten the AVC’s nod to host the 2016 edition, leaving Thailand to miss the cut for this year’s AVC Cup for Men.