Teams From Indonesia, Thailand Crowned In Zonal Events of Southeast Asian Men’s Volleyball League

Southeast Asian Men’s Volleyball League

The second leg of the inaugural Southeast Asian Men’s Volleyball League took place in Santa Rosa, Philippines from 28 to 30 July, and, for the second time, Indonesia achieved a clean sweep of the round-robin tournament to claim their second title. The Indonesian men’s national volleyball team has so far been allocated a total of CHF 27,000 of FIVB Volleyball Empowerment coach support.

The Indonesians started with a 3-1 (25-23, 21-25, 25-14, 25-23) win over Vietnam, followed up with a straight-set 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-20) victory over hosts Philippines and finished their campaign with a nail-biting 3-2 (25-27, 20-25, 25-21, 25-21, 15-9) victory (pictured in the main photo; credits: asianvolleyball.net) over Thailand. Vietnam finished runners-up after five-set wins over Thailand and the Philippines, while Thailand, another team supported by Volleyball Empowerment, completed the podium with bronze, despite competing with their second squad due to the first team participating in the Volleyball Challenger Cup.

Indonesia’s Halim Farhan was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the three-day tournament. Setter Dinh Van Duy (Vietnam), opposite Rotter (Philippines), outside hitters Thanomnoi Jakkrit (Thailand) and Arabi Boy Arnes (Indonesia), middle blockers Kurniawan Hendra (Indonesia) and Truong The Khai (Vietnam), and libero Prasojo Prasojo (Indonesia) were named on the Dream Team.

The previous week, Indonesia were even more convincing at home, in Jakarta, where they lost only a set (to Thailand) in the three matches played. Thailand finished second after sweeping their games against third-placed Vietnam and fourth-placed Philippines.

Southeast Asian Women’s Volleyball League

Thailand topped the podium at the first leg of the women’s SEA V. League, held last week in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam. Hosts Vietnam; supported by Volleyball Empowerment through the 2023 Knowledge Transfer program, hiring a physiotherapist to work with the team, and Thailand defeated the other two teams on the first two competition days and met face-to-face in the deciding match on Sunday. After a hard-fought 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 28-26, 25-17) turnaround, the Thais snatched the inaugural title, leaving Vietnam with the silver, while the bronze medals went to Indonesia.

Thai star Kongyot Ajcharaporn took two individual awards, for MVP and for a Dream Team outside hitter. The other Dream Team nominations went to setter Doan Thi Lam Oanh (Vietnam), opposite Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh (Vietnam), outside Tran Thi Thanh Thuy (Vietnam), middle Siti Nur Fadhilah Wilda (Indonesia) and Nuekjang Thatdao (Thailand), and libero Pannoy Piyanut (Thailand).

The SEA V. League (formerly known as ASEAN Grand Prix) is a series of international volleyball tournaments in Southeast Asia featuring the men’s and the women’s national teams from Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia. The second women’s tournament is set to take place this week, from 11 to 13 August, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

PRIME VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE: Ahmedabad Defenders win thriller against Bengaluru Torpedoes to clinch trophy

 

Ahmedabad Defenders clinched the trophy in the second season of RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by A23 with a 15-7, 15-10, 18-20, 13-15, 15-10 win over the Bengaluru Torpedoes at the Regional Sports Centre, Kochi on Sunday. Angamuthu was named the player of the match for his dominating show.

LM Manoj and Nandhagopal combined early on to put blocks on Bengaluru's attacks. As Ibin and Pankaj got involved in attacks, the Torpedoes showed they are here to fight. But with incessant attacks from Angamuthu, the Defenders maintained their composure. As skipper Muthusamy Appavu began setting up Danial and Manoj, Ahmedabad drew block errors from the Torpedoes and picked up a hefty lead.

With service pressure building, the Torpedoes struggled to run their attacking plays from the middle. Ahmedabad's in-form defence tackled well with Bengaluru's attack, while Angamuthu and Santhosh dismantled the Torpedoes' momentum.

Just when it looked like Ahmedabad will run with the game, Sethu's magic from the service line brought Bengaluru back into the business. Danial almost ended the show with his powerful spikes. But Bengaluru held themselves on, drawing errors from Ahmedabad.

Abalooch tried to use his height to bully Santhosh, but the dual block line of Santhosh and Manoj kept making crucial blocks for Ahmedabad. But with a block on Mujeeb and a magical super-serve, the Torpedoes truly brought the contest back to level pegging and pushed the match to the fifth set.

The battle between the middle Danial and Jishnu raged on in the final set. A clever block from Abalooch brought Bengaluru back into the see-saw battle. Angamuthu's spikes kept testing the Torpedoes' defence. A soft super-serve from Santhosh ended the contest and the Defenders closed out the final set to clinch the trophy.

The RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by A23 will be telecast LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 1 (English), Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu) & Sony Sports Ten 2 (Malayalam) channels in India and will be streamed on Volleyball World TV outside the Indian subcontinent, starting February 4, Saturday.

2020 AVC CHAMPIONSHIPS LIKELY TO GO AHEAD DESPITE COVID19 FEARS

AVC has planned to organise its 23rd General Assembly in coming October, as hosts, participating teams and AVC TV Media Partner have geared up for all 2020 AVC Championships on condition that the Covid19 situation starts getting back to normality within June.

The 23rd AVC General Assembly was first due to be held in Bangkok in June but has to be postponed in accordance with the new dates for the FIVB World Congress, which was rescheduled for January 27-29, 2021 in Phuket, Thailand. Taking the FIVB’s timeline into consideration for further decision, AVC has planned to hold the 23rd edition of its General Assembly in October 2020. The new dates for the biennial meeting have been set to be officially confirmed as soon as the Covid19 situation returns to normal, with Asian countries lifting their lockdown restrictions and airports and transportation solutions implemented to ensure continuity of service.

To make sure that staging all 2020 AVC Championships remains on the right track, AVC has recently circulated its letter to all affiliated National Federations, presenting its two Options, which have already been approved by AVC Board of Administration Members and showed possibility and probability for AVC to organise 2020 AVC Championships amid growing Coronavirus 2019 Disease (Covid19) outbreak.

In Option 1, if the Covid-19 situation improves dramatically within the end of June 2020, AVC needs either 2 or 2 and a half months for keeping a tight grip on coordinating with host countries, participating teams and AVC TV Media Partner in preparation for the organisation of the Championships.

For volleyball, in particular, AVC has less than two months to complete eight Championships ahead of the 2020-2021 National League season.

In the light of Covid19 pandemic, the continental governing body can organise 2020 AVC Championships and relevant competitions from last week of August or early September until the second week of October 2020.

Four AVC Championships abided by TV Partner and New Media contracts – Asian Men’s and Women’s Clubs Championships and AVC Cup for Men and Women – must be finished within September or the first week of October at the latest.

The other Championships without a landmark television agreement with TV Media Partner comprise AVC Challenge Cup for Men and Women, Asian Men’s U20 and Asian Women’s U19 Championships and Asian Men’s U18 and Asian Women’s U17 Championships.

The AVC Challenge Cup for Men and Women and the Asian Men’s U20 and Asian Women’s U19 Championships, which serve as the qualification tournaments for the FIVB Men’s U21 and Women’s U20 World Championships, can be held at the same period (from September to the first week of October), while the Asian Men’s U18 and Asian Women’s U17 Championships, the qualification tournaments for the FIVB Men’s U19 and Women’s U18 World Championships, can take place in September until December.

Regarding beach volleyball, the AVC Continental Cup Semi-Finals (Phase 2) and Finals (Phase 3) were postponed. However, as the FIVB has already confirmed that all the Continental Cup SemiFinals and Finals shall take place by no later than May 2, 2021, the AVC Continental Cup Semi-Finals and Finals, therefore, should be held ahead of the afore-mentioned date in order that the qualified teams will have enough time to prepare themselves for the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games between July 23 and August 8, 2021.

Meanwhile, the Asian U19 Beach Volleyball Championships are due to be organised from last week of August and the other Asian Beach Volleyball Tours will also kick off from September 2020. However, AVC will confirm competition regulations with host federations within coming June.

In terms of the other AVC Zonal Championships, each zone can make decisions on their own but shall inform AVC to include relevant competition information to the revised 2020 AVC Competition Calendar.

Nevertheless, the AVC Competition Calendar can be modified in accordance with availability of the host federations but shall be organized at the above-mentioned period and agreed among AVC, TV Media Partner and organizers. AVC will reconfirm the Competition Calendar at the beginning of July 2020.

In Option 2, unless the Covid19 outbreak can be easily predicted, with the crisis continuing until the end of July 2020, making AVC Championships unable to go ahead as planned, AVC has decided to cancel all 2020 AVC Championships and relevant competitions because the 2020-2021 National League season will start from October 15, 2020.

Instead, AVC will try to organise the Underage Championships (Women’s U18, Men’s U19, Women’s U20 and Men’s U21) during January and February 2021 in order that the Asian qualified teams can be decided ahead of the FIVB Underage World Championships later next year.

FIVB ANNOUNCE CHANGES TO THE BEACH VOLLEYBALL CALENDAR IN MAY

In consideration of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and to protect the health and wellbeing of all involved, the FIVB has announced changes to the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour events scheduled for May.

Given the current global travel limitations, the FIVB and the event organisers have mutually agreed that the following event postponements, and one cancellation, are in the best interests of the participants’ health, and are also the fairest solution for the players.

• 1-star event scheduled for 6-9 May in Tuan Chau Island, Vietnam – postponed
• 4-star event scheduled for 6-10 May in Itapema, Brazil – postponed
• 3-star event scheduled for 6-10 May in Jurmala, Latvia – postponed
• 4-star event scheduled for 20-24 May in Ostrava, Czech Republic – postponed
• 4-star event scheduled for 27-31 May in Warsaw, Poland – cancelled

The FIVB is also reassessing all events scheduled for June, and is in ongoing discussions with Continental Confederations regarding future Continental Cup events. The FIVB acknowledges that further changes to the beach volleyball calendar are likely, and is in contact with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about revising the beach volleyball qualification system for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. 

Hosts China struggled hard to beat Korea with a fantastic comeback five-set win at the semi-finals of the “SMM” 11th Asian Girls’ U18 Volleyball Championship to set up a final showdown with defending and six-time champions Japan on Monday.

 

Hosts China struggled hard to beat Korea with a fantastic comeback five-set win at the semi-finals of the “SMM” 11th Asian Girls’ U18 Volleyball Championship to set up a final showdown with defending and six-time champions Japan on Monday.

More than 2,000 home fans turned out on Sunday to support their team in a do-or-die battle against Korea, the team they had beaten in straight sets in the third-place playoff at the previous edition in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand in 2014. China recovered from the first two sets loss 19-25 14-25 to win the remaining three sets 25-23 25-19 15-13 in a gruelling 120-minute encounter against the formidable Koreans.

The Chinese team next go up against Japan in the showdown, the sixth final among them at the biennial competition. Japan on Sunday sent Thailand packing in comfortable straight sets 25-8 25-12 25-19.

With a sluggish start, China had to call an early timeout while trailing 1-4 to avoid a gap with wide margin. The host girls performed better after getting back to the court, counter-attacking well to surge ahead the strong visitors 16-15 at the second technical timeout. However, from then on the Chinese became prone with up to 10 unforced errors to see things turn sour. Korea went on their fine form to secure the first set 25-19.

The second set saw China almost lose their morale since trailing 14-15 as they found it tough going from that point and let the Koreans win the remaining 10 points to take the set 25-14.

Boisterous cheers and nerve-wracking screams from the home crowds on site awakened the oriental sleeping dragon in time in the third set as they resisted barrages of aggressive Korean attacks from time to time. The Chinese held on to win a close third set 25-23.

Korea got into a flap in the fourth set as their game was riddled with errors, trapped in a large hole from trailing 14-15 to 14-22. China snared the set 25-19 on the stretch to force a tie-break.

In the heart-pounding decider, China and Korea gave it all-out, but the former advanced narrowly 14-13 before Sun Xiaoxuan jumped for a kill, her 19th point and the team’s highest score in the match. China won the hard-fought set 15-13, match and a final showdown.

Lee Juah scored a match-high 22 points for Korea but her efforts were in vain in helping her team secure a place in the final.

“In the first two sets, my girls did not play well. They were not good at blocking and receiving. They have to improve markedly and play much better in the next game,” said China’s head coach Xu Jiande.

With good defense to transport a steady flow of ammunition for spikers to attack, reigning champions Japan overwhelmed Thailand 3-0 (25-8, 25-12, 25-19) in the semi-finals to advance to the final by not dropping a set to their respective rivals.

Japan scored 41 points through their powerful spikes and additional seven from ace serves compared to 21 spikes and no ace serves from Thailand.

Going down in the first two sets, Thailand did their best in the third set to keep up with Japan until 17-19. Nonetheless, Japan played consistently and never looked back since then. They allowed the tough opponents only two more points to capture the set 25-19, match and a final clash.

“In the third set, the scores were very close because Thailand’s attacks lived up to their expectation,” said Daichi Saegusa, head coach of Japan.

Yuri Takayanagi led Japan with a match-high 15 points, followed by Haruna Soga with 13 points. Chularak Nuanboribun contributed only nine points to Thailand.

In the other two encounters, Oceania neighbours Australia and New Zealand went down to Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong respectively, with the former committing up to 37 errors, which yielded themselves 0-3 (14-25, 15-25, 17-25) in 63 minutes.

“For these girls, experience is more important. The substitutions all had a chance to play except Wu Fengyu because she was too tired these days. After all, these girls are so young, so their health is also important,” said Chinese Taipei’s head coach Kuang Chintu.

“Chinese Taipei performed quite well. We were a little disappointed that we could not control the ball well against them,” said Australia’s head coach Boris Georgieff.

Captain Yick Wingsum had another prolific scoring portfolio with 24 points to help Hong Kong take a 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-14) triumph over New Zealand.

The 11th Asian Girls’ U18 Volleyball Championship continue its final phase on Monday at Chongqing No. 8 Secondary School Gymnasium, with China pitted against Japan in their sixth final together. In the previous five finals contested among them, China claimed two wins and Japan three.

Thailand and Korea will battle it out for the third place. Hong Kong will fight for the fifth position in a playoff match against Chinese Taipei, with New Zealand and Australia setting up an all-Oceanians battle in the eighth-place playoff.

Japan to host 11th edition of FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Kobe

Kobe, Japan, September 30, 2016 – The International Volleyball Federation and Eventcourt are pleased to confirm Hisamitsu Springs Kobe as hosts of the eleventh edition of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship from May 8 to 14, 2017.

FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° said: “I look forward to seeing the Women’s Club World Championship take place in Japan for the first time. Japan has hosted many great volleyball events in the past and next year’s Women’s Club World Championship will be another FIVB event which is sure to be popular with fans in Japan who will get a chance to see the best club teams and players in the world.”

“Kobe will follow in the footsteps of Manila who will also debut as a Club World Championship host in just under three weeks' time when the 2016 women’s edition visits the Philippines for the first time, contributing to the growth of volleyball worldwide and helping the FIVB in its vision to make volleyball the number one family sport entertainment in the world.”

Japan follows Brazil (1991, 1994), Italy (1992), Qatar (2010, 2011, 2012), Switzerland (2013, 2014, 2015), and the Philippines (2016) as host country of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship.

FIVB Executive Co-opted Member Stav Jacobi said he was convinced Kobe will provide a spectacular event.

“Japan has a long tradition of hosting international top events. The Olympic Games in 1964, where volleyball celebrated its debut as an Olympic sport, the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship in 2010, and the FIVB Volleyball World Cups last year are just some examples of the long and very successful history of volleyball tournaments in Japan.”

“The FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Kobe will be another big milestone in the consistent growth of international women’s volleyball.”

“The FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship has established itself amongst the top tournaments in sport over the last years and I am sure that the edition in Kobe will be another important step into a bright future for women’s club volleyball,” added Jacobi, President of Eventcourt.

JVA President Kenji Kimura said he was looking forward to the upcoming volleyball year featuring the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Kobe and the FIVB World Grand Champions Cups – also to take place in Japan.

“I believe that the development of club volleyball is necessary to improve the level of the national teams too. Therefore I hope a lot of Japanese volleyball players will get inspired and motivated by the experience of hosting this great tournament in our country.”

The 2017 edition of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship will also be a historic event for Japanese club volleyball as Japan will field two sides in the most prestigious tournament in club volleyball.

Besides hosts Hisamitsu Springs Kobe, compatriots NEC Red Rockets will also get to play for the most coveted trophy in club volleyball. The Kawasaki-based side booked their ticket after claiming the trophy in the AVC Women’s Club Championship in Manila this month.

The spots for the 2017 CEV Champions League winners and the 2017 CSV South American Club Champions as well as the four wild cards, on the other hand, are still up for grabs.

“I wish all of the eight participants, including Japanese hosts Hisamitsu Springs and Asian representatives NEC Red Rockets, all the best and success. I know the Japanese volleyball fans are going to do everything in their power to build up a great atmosphere and to inspire all of the 

World Championships Qualification process to be confirmed by Confederations

Lausanne, Switzerland, February 2, 2016 – The FIVB Sports Events Council approved on Tuesday the concept of the qualification process for each continent for the FIVB Volleyball World Championships in 2018, which will take place in Japan (women) and Italy and Bulgaria (men) in 2018, being confirmed by respective confederations.

Each Continental Confederation will be responsible for their own qualification process and the Confederations will inform the FIVB on their agreed system by April 1, 2016.

The qualification system will be played between May 15, 2016 and October 15, 2017.

Number of participating teams and vacancies by continent

The Drawing of Lots for the FIVB Volleyball World Championships 2018 will take place by December 2017 using the FIVB World Ranking as of September 30, 2017.

World champions USA (women) and Poland (men) are automatically qualified and are joined by the host counties Japan (women) and Italy and Bulgaria (men) in not having to participate in the qualification process.

A proposal for the competition formula will be made to the FIVB Board of Administration meeting in April however the Sports Events Council did confirm the following points:

– same formula for men and women’s competition

– simple formula / easy to communicate to audience

– minimum number of matches guaranteed → 5 matches

– number of matches for the winning team → 11 to 13 matches

– maximum of 21 days of competition (2 or 3 matches per day)

– Since it is the first time that two countries host an FIVB World Championship, Italy and Bulgaria will be kept separate for the first two phases during the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2018.

Roberto Piazza named Qatar men's coach

The Qatar national volleyball team, which made history by making the cut for the FIVB World League, will have an Italian expert at the helm to help them negotiate tricky waters.

The national teams commission, headed by Qatar Volleyball Association President Mr. Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi, appointed Roberto Piazza as national coach on Saturday.

The experienced tactician, who is currently training Greek side Olympiacos, is expected to join the national team directly after the domestic season in Greece.

The 48-year-old, who has won every Italian club title multiple times, had a very short playing career.

He began with Italian side Pallavolo Parma’s youth team in 1985 and graduated to their senior side within two years. In 1989, he moved to Pallavolo Piacenza (Italy) and ended his playing career there.

From 1990 to 2009, he worked as an assistant coach at three clubs — Parma, Volley Treviso and Russian side Dinamo Moskva.

He got his first break as coach at Volley Treviso in 2009. After three years at the helm, he moved to another Italian club Piemonte Volley before signing on as Olympiacos coach last season.

Piazza replaced Argentinian Juan Manuel Cichello as Qatar coach. Cichello has joined the Iranian national team as an assistant coach.

In addition to the World League, Qatar will also compete in the AVC Cup in India from September 19 to 25 as well as the Arab Championship in Jordan, also in September.

Iran to host FIVB BV World Tour for first time

It has been for the first time Iran will host the 2016 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour from February 14 to 19 in Kish Island.

The registration has been open since December 21 and will last for one month. A total of 65 teams from 23 countries have so far submitted their entries. However, a number of the participating teams are expected to increase when it comes to the deadline of registration. Iran and Kazakhstan will be sending seven teams apiece, making it the highest amount of the participants to be fielded by a country.

Aside from seven teams each from Iran and Kazakhstan, the other teams to be pitted in the six-day tournament are Italy (6 teams), Austria (5), Poland (5), Norway (5), Canada (4), Germany (3), Turkey (3), USA (2), China (3), Czech Republic (2), Qatar (2), Russia (2) and one team apiece from Australia, Belgium, England, France, Lituania, Estonia, Switzerland, Venezuela , and Mexico.

Seven teams from Iran have already made their presence certain, from which the players comprise 1. Bahman Salemi/Rahman Raoufi, 2. Saber Houshmand/Abas Pourasgari, 3. Abdulhamed Mirza Ali/Ibrahim Sansabili, 4. Amir Shoushtarizadeh/Shahram Ghasemkhah, 5. Behnam Tavakoli/Arash Vakili, 6. Bahman Gholipour/Reza Naeini, 7. Parviz Farrokhi/Agh Mohammad Salagh. Mr. Kasra Ghafoori, Secretary of Beach Volleyball Organisation, said: “We are going to have one more team from Iran in the preliminary round”.

It is noteworthy to add that registration does not secure any right for the candidates. Two or three days before the starting time, final teams are decided on. However, the registration shows the amount of interest drawn into the Kish Island Open and there is still the possibility for more teams to be added. The final candidates will be selected on the basis of world ranking.

The starting numbers will be 32 teams grouping into eight four-team pools. The cash prize will be awarded to 32 teams on the basis of the final ranking.

AVC releases revised calendar for 2016-2019 indoor volleyball competitions

The revised calendar for the 2016-2019 indoor volleyball competitions has been recently released by the Asian Volleyball Confederation, with Thailand receiving the AVC's green light to host major tournaments for three consecutive years.
This year, all eyes will be on Thailand when the sports-loving country will host one of the most-watched competitions in the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals (Group 1) in Bangkok from July 6 to 10, which will see the best five teams after the three-week preliminaries plus hosts Thailand vie for the top honour.

In the same month, Thailand, where the AVC Headquarters is located in its capital city, will organise the 18th Asian Women's U19 Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima from July 23 to 31. Thailand has also got the AVC's nod to host three major competitions in the next three years. In the following year, the country will become the battle ground for the second Asian Women's U23 Championship in the fourth week of May.
In 2018, Thailand will host the sixth AVC Cup for Women in the first week of July. Volleyball will again hit a fever pitch in Thailand in 2019 when they will organise the 20th Asian Senior Women's Championship in the fourth week of June. When the 2013 edition of the Asian Senior Women's Championship was hosted by Thailand in Nakhon Ratchasima, it turned out to be a volleyball phenomenon when local spectators started to arrive at the competition venue as early as midnight in an effort of booking the tickets. Still, thousands of fans made a long queue each morning, waiting patiently for their turns to book tickets. At around 8 am, all tickets were sold out, smashing dreams of hundreds of fans to watch the match at the jampacked actual venue.
Meanwhile, a total of six AVC competitions will be held this year. Chinese Taipei will get the 2016 volleyball events off the ground when they will host the 18th Asian Men's U20 Championship from July 9 to 17, followed by the 18th Asian Women's U19 Championship in Thailand between July 23 and 31.
After the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil from August 5 to 21, Myanmar, following their significant success in organising the inaugural Asian Men's U23 Championship last year, will take a major step in hosting the 2016 Asian Men's Club Championship from August 23 to 31. The 2016 Asian Women's Club Championship will take place in the Philippines during September 3 and 11.
In the same month, the fifth AVC Cup for Women will be held in Vietnam from September 12 to 18, with the fifth AVC Cup for Men starting the next day in India between September 19 and 25.
The indoor volleyball will approach its peak in Asia in 2017 which has been regarded as one of the busiest years ever for the AVC. A total of eight AVC competitions will be held across the continent, starting with the 2017 Asian Men's Club Championship in Malaysia in the first week of April, followed by the 2017 Asian Women's Club Championship in Chinese Taipei in the second week of April.
In May, Australia will organise the second Asian Men's U23 Championship in the third week of the month, with Thailand hosting the second edition of the women's competition in the fourth week of the month.
Three tournaments will be held in June. Myanmar will kick off the month with the 11th Asian Boys U19 Championship in the second week of the month, followed respectively by the 11th Asian Girls U18 Championship in Vietnam in the third week and the 19th Asian Senior Women's Championship in the Philippines in the fourth week.
In the first week of July, Indonesia, which will host the next Asian Games in 2018, will hold the 19th Asian Senior Men's Championship, the last stop of the AVC competition in 2017.
In 2018, the first AVC competition will start with the Asian Men's Club Championship to be hosted by India in the first week of April, followed by the Asian Women's Club Championship in Chinese Taipei in the second week of April.
Thailand will organise the sixth AVC Cup for Women in the first week of July, with Vietnam holding the 19th Asian Women's U19 Championship in the third week of July.
Iran and Malaysia have shown their interests in staging the 19th Asian Men's U20 Championship in the first week of August and AVC will later decide the right host nation. In the second week of August, Chinese Taipei will stage the sixth AVC Cup for Men.
From December 5 to 20, Indonesia will host the 19th Asian Games, a Pancontinental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia.
The year 2019 will turn out to be another busy year for the AVC when a total of eight competitions will be held. However, among the eight tournaments to be contested, six of them have yet confirmed the host nations. Thailand will organise the 20th Asian Senior Women's Championship in the fourth week of June, followed by the 20th Asian Senior Men's Championship in Australia in the first week of July.
Earlier, the 2019 Asian Men's Club Championship will take place in the first week of April, with the Asian Women's Club Championship being held the following week.
In May, the third edition of the Asian U23 Championship for the men's and women's events will be held in the third and the fourth weeks respectively.
The 12th Asian Boys U19 Championship will be organised in the second week of June, followed by the 12th episode of the Girls event in the third week of the month.
Opportunity is still open for interested countries to host the mentioned six tournaments. To become the candidate countries for any 2019 AVC competitions which have yet confirmed the host nations, the interested countries have to contact the AVC Headquarters in Bangkok earlier to make sure their applications will be submitted in time.

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.

Australians rule the 2015 AVC Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship Hong Kong

Hong Kong, China, October 6, 2015 – Australians Louise Bawden/Taliqua Clancy of Australia 1 thrashed Vanuatu’s top seeds Linline Matauatu/Miler Pata in comfortable straight sets 21-16 21-15 to capture the 2015 AVC Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship Hong Kong on Sunday. For the victory, Bawden/Clancy claimed US$10,000 cash prize plus 500 world ranking points, while the Vanuatu’s duo collected US$7,500 cash plus 450 points. The third place went to Australia 2’s Mariafe Artacho Del Solar/Nicole Laird, who powered past China 2’s 21-16 21-14 in the playoff. The Australians claimed US$5,000 plus 400 points.

Hong Kong, China, October 6, 2015 – Australians Louise Bawden/Taliqua Clancy of Australia 1 thrashed Vanuatu’s top seeds Linline Matauatu/Miler Pata in comfortable straight sets 21-16 21-15 to capture the 2015 AVC Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship Hong Kong on Sunday. For the victory, Bawden/Clancy claimed US$10,000 cash prize plus 500 world ranking points, while the Vanuatu’s duo collected US$7,500 cash plus 450 points. The third place went to Australia 2’s Mariafe Artacho Del Solar/Nicole Laird, who powered past China 2’s 21-16 21-14 in the playoff. The Australians claimed US$5,000 plus 400 points