The Volleyball Federation of India has launched the Indian Volley League at Bengaluru this year, on the lines of cricket’s IPL. VFI says it has been thinking of doing since for many years but the finance and other resources were available only recently.

"This is just the beginning. In the coming years, this small initiative will become big and a great success", says K Murugan, Secretary General of VFI.

India is the third country in Asia after Japan and Thailand to host a volleyball event at this level. Games begin on 29^th May at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava stadium. The first match between Kerala Killers and Maratha Warriors will also be held on the same day. There are six teams in the IVL 2011 edition.

Launch of the Indian Volley League at Bangalore earlier this week. Pic: David Chelladurai, VFI.

Teams: Chennai Spikers, Hyderabad Chargers, Karnataka Bulls, Kerala Killers, Maratha Warriors and Yanam Tigers.

IVL finals are on 24^th of June at Hyderabad’s Lal Bahadur Indoor Stadium.

The total budget for IVL is about Rs.1.6 crores, say organisers. This inlcudes Rs.22.5 lakhs prize money to players, appearance money of about Rs.12 lakhs in total and the winner prize amount of about Rs.10 lakhs and runner-up amount of  Rs.7 ½lakhs.

All the matches will take place in air conditioned indoor stadiums in the 4 centres – Bangalore, Chennai, Yanam (Pondicherry) and Hyderabad. At each centre, facilities are being provided media coverage.

VFI says that it it taking care of all expenses of the players. The players have also been insured. The owners supply the fittings to the team members. IVL officials say they have written to the governor and also noted that all expenses are being taken care of by the VFI.

K Nandakumar (former player and secretary) has sponsored the Karnataka Bulls team. Nandakumar says he is still looking for more corporate sponsors to cover the expenses.

Doordarshan and Ten Sports will be covering the IVL matches. Each centre will have to pay Rs.1 lakh to Doordarshan on or befor the 15^th of May for the telecast.

On 20^th morning, Bangalore players will arrive in Sports Authority of India for coaching.

The IVL website is www.indianvolleyleague.com. This website will have individual profiles of players and updates about the scores of each match as the league progresses.

Karnataka Volleyball Association

The Karnataka Volleyball Association is the apex body for volleyball in the state, headed by A Lokesh Gowda (President) and K. Nandakumar (Secretary). KVA’s office is at the Sri Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Kasturba road.

For KVA itself, the major event is the state championships. These are held in Kanteerava stadium and also other 28 district stadiums for the age groups from below 14 years to senior levels. The championships start from August and goes on till end of March. ⊕