The Hindu : Sport / Volleyball : Nationals from today

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 25, 2006
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Sport - Volleyball

Nationals from today

S. Sabanayakan

RAIPUR: Indian volleyball is being dominated by a few States. And for the rest, playing in the National championship it is just a ritual. Whether India wins a medal in the continental championship or not, the power structure in the premier domestic calendar is unlikely to change.

In order to raise the standard of the National team and compete in high voltage international meets with success, the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) should strive to provide better playing facilities. But the 55th edition of the National, organised by the Chhattisgarh State Volleyball Association here from Monday, appears to be no different.

Mud courts

To organise 60 men's and 45 women's matches, four mud courts have been readied for the 10-day meet at the Netaji Subhas Stadium. Makeshift floodlights have been installed and galleries have been raised for the benefit of the spectators. Four years have gone by since the State organised the National but the playing conditions has not changed.

This is the reflection of the National body's apathy towards the sport. Why then such a hue and cry when India failed to finish among the first eight in the Doha Asian Games?

The game has picked up speed, tactics have changed and fitness level of a player has gone up, thanks to synthetic courts used in international tournaments. And in India the same set of players who did duty for the country will return to the mud courts and would not give half of their best due to fear of injury. What the others will learn from international stars is anybody's guess.

Change in format

The competition system has undergone a slight change from the last National. Both men and women will play in league-cum-knockout basis.

The defending champion in both the sections, Railways, in all likelihood will remain the best.

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