SLVB to reconvene national volleyball pools next year

By Susil Premalal 

The Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation (SLVB) has decided to reconvene the indoor and beach national pools which was disbanded due to the coronavirus pandemic.  

Subject to the prevailing health situation in the country, the SLVB hopes to form a new national pool after conducting selection trials in January, according to SLVB Vice President and Chairman of Sri Lanka Beach Volleyball Association, C. Ratnamudali.  

The Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) has declared that no indoor or beach volleyball competition could be held before since February because of the global health crisis. As a result all tournaments scheduled for this year have been postponed to 2021.  

In keeping with the AVC 2021 calendar, the SLVB had formed a 48-member national indoor pool (24 men and 24 women) and a 12-member national beach pool (6 men and 6 women) but both these national pools had to be disbanded because of the spike in the viral outbreak.  

The national pools are being formed in preparation for the 21st Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship (China or Thailand) August 29 to September 5, 21st Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship (Japan) September 12 to 19, AVC Senior Beach Volleyball Championship (China) June 2 to 6 and AVC 21st Tour Samila Open Beach Volleyball Championship (Singapore or Thailand) April 14 to 17 scheduled for next year.  
Meanwhile, the SLVB had requested the world governing body FIVB and AVC for two specialist coaches in preparation for these international events. A coach from Finland was scheduled to arrive in the island this month, but it had to be temporarily put on hold because of the spike in coronavirus cases.   

Meanwhile, the SLVB has drawn up the domestic calendar for 2021.   

The Dialog President’s Gold Cup, Munchee National Volleyball Championship and Sunquick National Beach Volleyball Championship were the three major tournaments which could not be completed this year and will be given priority in the calendar of events for 2021. The SLVB has also estimated a budget of Rs. 70 to 80 million to participate in AVC tournaments next year.  

For domestic tournaments the SLVB will cover with sponsorship but look forward to funding from the Sports Ministry to participate in international tournaments.