VISAKHAPATNAM: It was a pleasant sight at the Visakhapatnam railway station on Sunday afternoon when the Indian under-21 volleyball team received a grand reception, by the organising committee of the 13th World Men's under-21 Championship. Drumbeats reverberated, as schoolchildren waving the national flag welcomed the team with bouquets, garlands and harati when it stepped out of the Prashanti Express from Bangalore.

The Joint Collector, Sandeep Kumar Sultania, was present to receive the team, along with the State Volleyball Association president, S. Kodandaramiah, the tournament director, A. Ramana Rao, the secretary of the organising committee as well as the district association, P.G.V.R. Naidu, the VUDA Chairman, P.S.N. Raju, and other members of the organising committee.

Lucky venue?

The way the team was welcomed should boost the morale of the Indian outfit, which already feels Visakhapatnam is its lucky venue and enjoyed a terrific crowd support when the Indian youth team clinched the Asian Youth title two years ago.

The coach, Chander Singh, and the captain, R. Kamaraj, pointed out the same while talking to reporters on their arrival.

The team was taken in a convoy to its hotel with schoolchildren lining up along some stretches en route waving the national flag.

From August 6 to 14, the world's 12 best teams will vie for the title at the Port Indoor Stadium and the Swarna Bharati Indoor Stadium.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail