Former, current players call for TNPL-style volleyball league

Chennai

They urged the Tamil Nadu Volleyball Association (TNSVA) to collaborate with private firms to bring out a franchise-based league, in addition to the State Championships that are held every year. R Kamaraj and P Sivabalan (both former players) as well as Naveen Raja Jacob and Shelton Moses (both active in the circuit) spoke about the importance of having a state league during a webinar session hosted by Goal Quiz on the Zoom application.

“We must organise a league in Tamil Nadu, where there is a lot of potential. We can also bring in a few outstation players to increase the popularity of the event. Only when a number of marquee players sign up for it, it will reach a wider audience. Following that, the sponsors will automatically come on board and the league will only get better,” said Kamaraj.

“If India, as a whole, aspires to do well at the international level, each and every state must conduct a league. Professionalism and money investment also play a part,” he added. Sivabalan seconded Kamaraj’s thoughts, saying everyone should come together and work from the top.

“If we organise a league professionally, the grassroots programme (at the bottom) will definitely improve. There are some FIVB Level 1 and Level 2 coaches from Tamil Nadu who are without assignments right now. If we have a league, not only players but also coaches will be engaged (for a lot more time),” said Sivabalan.

Naveen also supported Kamaraj’s idea and emphasised that efforts must be taken in the near future to host league matches in different districts. “We can look at having games zone-wise and picking up the best talent. Athletes, who are pursuing their education in schools and colleges, must have some motivation to go up the ranks. When they rub shoulders with India players, it does a world of good for them,” explained Naveen.

Moses, who led Chennai Spartans to the title in the inaugural edition of the Pro Volleyball League (PVL) in 2019, said: “We should bring in corporates so that they will take care of the marketing part. Without them, I don’t think associations can make leagues a huge hit.”