69th Senior National Volleyball Championship
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAIPUR/JAMMU: The Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory (JKUT) Senior Men’s Volleyball team has made an impressive mark at the 69th Senior National Volleyball Championship, qualifying for the pre-quarterfinals after a series of remarkable victories in their pool matches. With a dominant performance, JKUT Men’s team topped Pool-C, winning all their matches, including victories against Gujarat, Tripura, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Manipur.
The J&K team began their campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Gujarat in their opening match. The scores were 25-23, 25-17, and 25-22, showcasing their offensive strength and solid defense. This was followed by another straight-set win over Tripura, where the team triumphed with scores of 25-16, 25-19, and 25-17, proving their consistency in high-pressure situations.
In a nail-biting encounter against Bihar, JKUT displayed resilience, bouncing back from a first-set loss to clinch a 3-2 victory. The scores were 24-26, 25-20, 25-18, 19-25, and 15-10, with the team exhibiting exceptional composure during the decisive final set. Later in the day, the JKUT men’s team made history by overcoming Uttar Pradesh 3-1, with scores of 17-25, 25-19, 25-18, and 25-21.
The team delivered a commanding performance to beat Manipur 3-0 in their final pool match at the 69th Senior National Volleyball Championship. The scores were 25-22, 25-20, and 25-22, securing a place for JKUT in the pre-quarterfinals. With this victory, the JKUT team not only sealed their qualification but also topped Pool-C with an undefeated record.
The team’s exceptional teamwork, skillful play, and resilience under pressure have made them one of the standout performers in the championship. The JKUT Senior Men’s team’s performance has been widely praised, and they are now among the favorites to go further in the tournament.
The JKUT Men’s team, competing under the guidance of NIS-certified volleyball coaches Naresh Kumar, Prateek Kumar, Ramiz Tariq demonstrated their exceptional teamwork, athleticism, and tactical awareness throughout the competition.
Players like Mannat, Shahid, Pankaj, Ayaz Mandi, Shabir, Musharraf, Vipan Kumar, and Surjit Singh have received praise for their consistent performances, with displaying outstanding skills on the court.
After topping Pool-C, J&K UT will now face the top team from Pool-D, Andhra Pradesh, in the pre-quarterfinals tomorrow.
The team’s remarkable journey so far has garnered widespread recognition for their skills and determination, as they continue to showcase the immense potential of Jammu and Kashmir’s spikers.
On the women’s side, the JKUT Women’s Volleyball team has faced some challenges, suffering losses to Bihar and Gujarat. However, they bounced back in style, defeating Sikkim 3-0 in their final match, with scores of 25-11, 25-18, and 25-20. This victory was a morale booster for the team, and they will look to build on this success in their future matches.
The 69th Senior National Volleyball Championship, being held in Jaipur, was inaugurated by Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, with Rajasthan’s Minister of Sports Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore presiding over the opening ceremony. The championship has attracted over 1,200 players and officials from across India, with 63 teams competing-34 in the men’s section and 29 in the women’s.
The opening ceremony also featured a cultural program showcasing Rajasthan’s heritage, along with a march past of the participating teams. Dignitaries like Prem Singh Bajor, Rohit Rajpal (Chairman of the Adhoc Committee), and Alaknanda Ashok (Member of the Adhoc Committee) were present at the event, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.
The JKUT Men’s team’s outstanding performance has earned them widespread admiration, and their journey in the championship has been a source of pride for the region. Their exceptional teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship have set a high benchmark for future athletes in Jammu and Kashmir. As the tournament progresses, hopes are high that they will continue to excel and bring glory to the region.
In a message to the team, Raj Daluja, Patron-In-Chief of the Volleyball Association of Jammu and Kashmir, and Sidharth Daluja, President, congratulated the boys’ team and officials for their stellar performance and urged them to continue their efforts toward further success. The volleyball community in Jammu and Kashmir is rallying behind the team, with fans and supporters eagerly anticipating their upcoming matches.
With their excellent form, the JKUT Men’s team has proven that they are a force to be reckoned with at the national level. The championship, which will conclude on January 13, 2025, has already seen the JKUT Men’s team make a lasting impression, and their future looks bright as they aim for further glory in the coming rounds.