AVC RELEASES TENTATIVE DRAFT OF REVISED 2020 VOLLEYBALL CALENDAR

All 2020 Asian Underage Championships shall be organised by the end of this year in accordance with the availability of host countries despite grave concerns over the global Covid-19 outbreak.

AVC has been closely following the massive pandemic of the novel coronavirus on a daily basis since the beginning of January 2020 and also is in active communication with AVC Board of Administration and AVC Technical Committees in an effort of continuing its activities and competitions on schedule as many as possible.

In light of the rapid spread of Covid-19 around the world which has resulted in the temporary suspension of global airlines operations, AVC has decided to suspend all activities from the third week of February 2020.

However, in its best possible preparation for the resumption of services and activities in case the Covid-19 could eventually be under control with all airlines able to resume normal operations of commercial flights, AVC has sent the tentative draft of the revised 2020 AVC Competition Calendar to its Board of Administration and all affiliated National Federations, implementing a strategic plan to organise all AVC competitions in case the Covid-19 situations will be drastically improving within June 2020.

Regarding the modified 2020 AVC Competition Calendar, the 2020 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand and the 20th Asian Women’s U19 Volleyball Championship in Chongqing, China will be the first two AVC Championships to be held this year and are likely to be held simultaneously from August 30 to September 6.

The 2020 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Tianjin, China and the 20th Asian Men’s U20 Volleyball Championship in Tehran, Iran will be the next two AVC competitions to be organised at the same period from September 10 to 17, 2020.

After that, Myanmar will host the 2020 AVC Cup for Men in Nay Pyi Taw from September 21 to 28, while the 2nd AVC Challenge Cup for Women will also be be organised at the same period but host country remains unconfirmed officially.

From October 1 to 8, Chinese Taipei will host the 2020 AVC Cup for Women in Yunlin, with the 2nd AVC Challenge Cup for Men taking place in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan between October 3 and 10.

During November 1 and 8, Thailand will host the 13th Asian Women’s U17 Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Pathom, while host country for the 13th Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship from November 15 to 22 has yet been officially confirmed. Nonetheless, if necessary and unlikely to be held in “regular” fashion, both tournaments can be postponed until February 2021 because most of the underage players do not participate in National League season, which will start from October 15.

The revised Competition Calendar shall be organised in the above-mentioned period and agreed among AVC, TV Media Partners and organisers ahead of the reconfirmation by AVC at the beginning of July 2020.

However, if the growing Covid-19 outbreak continues until the end of July 2020, AVC has planned to cancel all 2020 AVC Championships and Competitions and the qualified teams for 2021 Underage World Championships are poised to be decided by FIVB world ranking.

In 2020, only 4 AVC Championships – Asian Men’s and Women’s Clubs Championships and AVC Cup for Men and Women – will be held upon the effective TV rights deal with TV Media Partners, while the other Championships including all four Underage Championships will take place without any rights issue to deal with TV Media Partners.

TENTATIVE DRAFT OF REVISED 2020 AVC COMPETITION CALENDAR

August 30-September 6: 2020 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
August 30-September 6: 20th Asian Women’s U19 Volleyball Championship Chongqing, China
September 10-17: 2020 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Tianjin, China
September 10-17: 20th Asian Men’s U20 Volleyball Championship in Tehran, Iran
September 21-28: 2020 AVC Cup for Men in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
September 21-28: 2nd AVC Challenge Cup for Women (TBD)
October 1-8: 2020 AVC Cup for Women in Yunlin, Chinese Taipei
October 3-10: 2nd AVC Challenge Cup for Men in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan
November 1-8: 13th Asian Women’s U17 Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand (or February 2021)
November 15-22: 13th Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship TBD (or February 2021)

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR REVISED 2020 AVC BEACH VOLLEYBALL COMPETITIONS

Following the recent release of the tentative draft of the 2020 Volleyball Competition Calendar amidst the Covid-19 outbreak, AVC on Friday announced its intention to hold four beach volleyball events later this year.

Due to the rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), AVC, carefully monitoring the situation in full cooperation with its Board of Administration, FIVB and all affiliated National Federations, decided to postpone many beach volleyball events, considering the health and well-being of athletes, officials and fans as its top priority.

The tournaments postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak included the 2020 Asian U19 Beach Volleyball Championships, due to take place at Saphan Hin Park in Phuket, Thailand between March 12 and 15, the Asian Beach Volleyball Tour “Samila Open” in Songkhla, Thailand from April 14 to 16 and the AVC Women’s Beach Volleyball Tour Can Tho Open in Vietnam between April 20 and 23.

The AVC Continental Cup Semi-finals and Finals, which serve as the qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and due to take place in China’s coronavirus epicentre Wuhan from June 20 to 22 and June 25 to 28 respectively, also suffered a fresh setback when both events have been postponed until next year.

In addition, the FIVB World Tour 1-star event Pak Bara Open in Satun, Thailand from April 8 to 11 was cancelled, while the FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Roi Et, Thailand during September 1 and 6 has been postponed to a later date.

According to tentative scheduling, AVC announced its intent to organise four Asian beach volleyball competitions this year. The Asian U19 Beach Volleyball Championships are expected to get the 2020 AVC beach volleyball events off to a good start when the double-gender competition has been rescheduled to be held in Phuket, Thailand from August 26 to 29.

Thailand will also organise the double-gender Asian Beach Volleyball Tour “Samila Open,” postponed earlier to be rescheduled for September 19-22 at Samila Beach in Songkhla, while the other two events comprise the Asian Beach Volleyball Tour in Penghu Islands in Chinese Taipei between October 14 and 18 and the AVC Women’s Beach Volleyball Tour Can Tho Open in Vietnam during October 24 and 28.

The other two major beach volleyball competitions will also be held in November, with the 2020 FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships being rescheduled for November 10-15 in Roi Et, Thailand and the 6th Asian Beach Games taking place in Sanya, China between November 26 and December 5.

Despite the release of the tentative draft of the 2020 AVC Beach Volleyball Competitions, the schedule can be modified up to the availability of host countries but shall be organised in the above-mentioned period and agreed among AVC, TV Media Partners and the organisers. Reconfirmation for the 2020 AVC Beach Volleyball Competitions will be announced by AVC at the beginning of July 2020.

TENTATIVE DRAFT OF REVISED 2020 AVC BEACH VOLLEYBALL COMPETITIONS
August 26-29: Asian U19 Beach Volleyball Championships in Phuket, Thailand
September 19-22: Asian Beach Volleyball Tour “Samila Open” in Songkhla, Thailand
October 14-18: Asian Beach Volleyball Tour in Penghu, Chinese Taipei
October 24-28: AVC Women’s Beach Volleyball Tour Can Tho Open in Can Tho, Vietnam
November 10-15: 2020 FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Roi-Et, Thailand
November 26-December 5: 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China

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. 

AVC VOLLEYBALL AND BEACH VOLLEYBALL SEASON PUT ON HOLD AMID COVID-19 FEARS

In light of the growing spread of the naval coronavirus “Covid-19” which has caused international travel limitations in different parts of Asia and a strict lockdown implemented in many countries, AVC came to a decision to either cancel or postpone upcoming activities and competitions until further notice.

As the world and Asia, in particular, is facing an unprecedented health challenge, clearly, a collective response is needed. Cooperation and mutual understanding must be the guiding principles for all decision-makers to have in mind at this crucial moment in time. Health and well-being of athletes, officials and fans is definitely the AVC’s highest priority, while the mutual decision to cancel or postpone the event was made in the best interest of all parties involved.

It goes without saying that AVC will keep in regular contact with all Asian volleyball family during this difficult period. During this time, athletes and team officials will have the opportunity to hold the team together, through thick and thin, emerge stronger and better prepared for the brighter future.

Thus, AVC, in close consultation with all participating National Federations and relevant sporting authorities, has decided on the future of the volleyball and beach volleyball season for the upcoming weeks.

Regarding volleyball competitions, hosts Bangladesh had already confirmed that the 2020 Asian Senior Men’s Central Zone Volleyball Championship in Dhaka from March 22-28 is postponed and has been rescheduled for September 5-11. AVC had also gave organisers Thailand Volleyball Association and host province Nakhon Ratchasima the green light when they asked for the postponement of the 2020 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship from April 18-25 and is rescheduled for August 10-17.

The 3rd Gulf Cooperation Council Games Volleyball Tournament in Kuwait, which is initially set to be held between April 4 and 14, is also postponed until December due to the Covid-19 pandemic. More importantly, the FIVB has decided to postpone the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) until after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

In terms of beach volleyball events, hosts Thailand decided to call off two major competitions – the FIVB World Tour 1-star event Pak Bara Open in Satun from April 8-11 and the Asian Beach Volleyball Tour Samila Open at Samila Beach in Songkhla between April 14 and 17. However, both events, according to AVC Beach Volleyball Director Mr Kritsada Panaseri, are expected to be held later in September.

The 2020 AVC Asian U19 Beach Volleyball Championships at Saphan Hin Park in Phuket, Thailand from March 12 to 15 was also postponed, with the new schedule likely during September 23-27, while the FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Roi Et, Thailand from September 1 to 6 also need to be rescheduled. However, the new competition schedule will be confirmed by FIVB later this year.

Earlier, the 2020 AVC Women’s Beach Volleyball Tour Can Tho Open in Vietnam between April 20-23 was postponed and rescheduled for October 24-28, while the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour 3-star event at Coolangatta Beach, Gold Coast, Australia from March 18-22 was also called off. The FIVB and Volleyball Australia will work together to identify competition dates later in 2020 when the event can be held, as the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour 3-star event in Jinjiang, China from May 13-17 was cancelled over grave Covid-19 outbreak concerns.

The situation around the Covid-19 virus is also impacting the preparations for the Semi-finals and Finals of the AVC Continental Cup, a beach volleyball double-gender event which has served as the qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, in China’s coronavirus epicentre Wuhan. The Semi-Finals are due to take place from June 20 to 22, with the Finals being held between June 25 and 28.

Kritsada said that since Wuhan is the city where the Covid-19 outbreak began, it’s likely that the Semi-finals and Finals of the 2020 AVC Continental Cup will be moved out of Wuhan to be held in another Chinese city instead. However, on condition that the Semi-finals and Finals cannot be organised in China, Vanuatu is possible to replace Wuhan as the alternative host options for the events.

On this matter, AVC Secretary-General Mr Shanrit Wongprasert said that AVC Headquarters is evaluating the status of each event on a case-by-case basis. By working closely with the relevant National Federations and event organisers, AVC then can make things clear if each event can be held amid the Covid-19 crisis.

“To get through tough times during the Covid-19 outbreak is not that easy. AVC has to assess each event in all aspects, work closely with participating National Federations and event organisers and conduct a feasibility study whether we have to postpone or cancel an event or switch to the other host nation. After that, AVC Headquarters will circulate emails to AVC Board of Administration Members for them to study the relevant matters thoroughly and make a final decision on each event if it should be postponed or cancelled. Normally, the final decision should be made within two months in order that the host nation and organisers can be well-prepared for the staging of that tournament. Regarding the AVC Continental Cup Semi-finals and Finals, AVC Headquarters will circulate emails to BA Members for further consideration and decision at the end of March or in early April.” Shanrit was quoted as saying.

“Over fears of the Covid-19 spread, AVC Headquarters finds that chances of staging AVC competitions during this time remain uncertain. We have to wait and see what we can do during this difficult period. However, we will keep regular contact with all National Federations, event organisers and BA Members to make sure that the volleyball and beach volleyball season can continue with a brighter prospect,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Asian International Referee Candidate Course, which is due to take place in Doha, Qatar from April 3 to 9, 2020, is postponed and rescheduled for October-November.

2020 AVC BEACH VOLLEYBALL CALENDAR ANNOUNCED FOR OLYMPIC SEASON

The AVC has released the 2020 AVC Beach Volleyball Calendar on Saturday, featuring two top-flight competitions in the Asian Senior Championships and the AVC Continental Cup Finals as well as an increase in the number of FIVB World Tour 1-4-star events to be held in brand new hosts cities in Asia.

The double-gender Asian Senior Championships between February 12 and 16 in Udon Thani, Thailand will get the 2020 AVC Beach Volleyball Calendar off the ground, while New Zealand will host the AVC’s second event of the year in the AVC Continental Cup Phase 1 – Oceania Zone from March 10 to 12.

After conclusion of the two season-opening, double-gender tournaments, Phuket, Thailand will next serve as the battleground for the Asian U19 Beach Volleyball Championships during March 12 and 15.

The all-action summer sport of beach volleyball then returns to the sands of Samila Beach in Songkhla, Thailand for the 2020 AVC Beach Tour Samila Open between April 14 and 17. All participating players will stand a chance of celebrating the Songkran Festival (Water Splashing Ceremony) one day ahead of the matchdays in the host city.

Can Tho, Vietnam will serve as the next stop for the 2020 AVC Beach Tour. The women-only competition will be held between April 20 and 23.

The double-gender AVC Continental Cup Semi-Finals in China between June 20 and 22 and the AVC Continental Cup Finals from June 25 to 28 also in China will be the AVC’s next two events which will outline the last two hurdles to be cleared by teams in build up to the Tokyo 2020.

The last AVC event is set to be held in August when Chinese Taipei will organise the AVC Beach Tour Open in Penghu Islands.

Meanwhile, beach volleyball fans have a great year to look forward to with as many as 42 events featured on the 2019-2020 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Calendar and the beach volleyball tournament at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games between July 24 and August 9 another highlight of the season.

The 2020 FIVB beach volleyball calendar includes 22 events to be held in Asia where new venues in Singapore and new events in Laos, Cambodia, Korea, the Cook Islands, Guam, Iran and China have already been confirmed to host such action-packed competitions.

Focusing on the great achievements of the sport so far and plans for a bright future, the FIVB Beach Volleyball Calendar will start the season-opening campaign in Asia with the FIVB World Tour men-only 1-star event in Qeshm, Iran between January 7 and 10.

After that, the Cook Islands, which comprises 15 islands with a total land area of 240 square kilometres (93 square miles) and is in the South Pacific Ocean, will have the honour of being the first Oceania country outside Australia to organise an FIVB World Tour event when they will host a men-only 1-star tournament from January 14 to 17.

The next two stops will be the FIVB World Tour 2-star events in Cambodia – the women-only tournament in Siem Reap between February 12 and 16 and the men-only event in Phnom Penh from February 20 to 23.

Bandar Abbas, Iran will next host the FIVB World Tour men-only 3-star event during March 3 and 7, followed by the World Tour women-only 1-star event in Guam and the World Tour men-only 4-star event in Doha, Qatar.

Elsewhere, the double-gender World Tour 1-star event in Malaysia will take place from March 12 to 15 in Langkawi. Australia, Philippines and Thailand will be the next three stops for the FIVB World Tour events in Asia. The double-gender World Tour 3-star event in Australia will be held at Coolangatta from March 18 to 22, while the double-gender World Tour 1-star events in Boracay, Philippines and in Satun, Thailand will be organised from March 26 to 29 and April 8 to 11 respectively.

Three more FIVB World Tour events will be held in Asia in April, all of them the double-gender 4-star events – in Singapore from April 15 to 19, in Yangzhou, China during April 22 and 26 and in Xiamen, China between April 29 to May 3.

Also in May, Vietnam will host the World Tour women-only, 1-star event in Tuan Chau Islands from May 6 to 9 and the double-gender 3-star event in Jinjiang, China between May 13 and 17.

Ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games between July 24 and August 9, two World Tour events will be held in Asia, with the women-only 1-star event being held in Daegu, Korea between July 9 and 12 and in the same period, the double-gender 2-star event will take place in Qidong, China.

The next three stops will be hosted by Korea and Oman, all of them the 1-star events. The first two women-only tournaments will take place in Korea – Buyeo during July 30 and August 2 and Busan from August 6 to 9, while the men-only 1 star event will be held in Salalah, Oman from August 19 to 22.

The season-ending World Tour in Asia will be held in Thailand when Roi-Et will organise the double-gender FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships between September 1 and 6.

In line with the FIVB Beach Volleyball Commission’s policy for future event strategy, the AVC makes it clear to deliver the best possible events for the players, fans and sponsors as well as providing an increased number of opportunities for Asian countries to host beach volleyball events.

SOUTH ASIAN GAMES 2019 NEPAL: MEN and Women's VOlleyball Schedule Revealed

UNITED STATES BECOME DOUBLE CHAMPIONS AT VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE

The United States claimed their second successive FIVB Volleyball Nations League title following their 3-2 (20-25, 22-25, 25-15, 25-21, 15-13) win over Brazil in the final at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre on Sunday.

Annie Drews scored 33 points to help USA to complete a five-set comeback after losing the first two sets against two-time Olympic champions Brazil. Gabi Guimaraes and Lorenne Geraldo Teixeira made 20 points each on a losing effort.

Brazil won the first two sets, but USA fought back to win the next two as Drews stepped up on her game. The fifth set went down the wire as Brazil managed to cut down the USA lead to one at 14-13, but the spike by Brazil hit the antenna, effortlessly giving the North American side the title victory for the second time.

Last year, USA also had to overcome a five-set match against Turkey before taking home the inaugural title of the VNL.