STATE TIMES NEWS
JAIPUR/JAMMU: The Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory (JKUT) Men’s Volleyball Team has made history by topping Pool C with an unbeaten record in the 69th Senior National Volleyball Championship, which is currently underway at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The team emerged victorious in all five of their pool matches and claimed an important win over Andhra Pradesh in the playoff round. However, their campaign ended in the pre-quarterfinals as they lost to Haryana in straight 3-0 sets (18-25, 17-25, 19-25).
This remarkable performance marks the first time in history that the J&K team has reached such a high point in this prestigious national event. The JKUT men’s team displayed exceptional skills throughout their campaign, particularly in their thrilling 3-2 victory over Andhra Pradesh in the play-off. The scores were 24-26, 25-22, 25-20, 21-25, and 15-10, demonstrating the team’s resilience and strategic brilliance.
In the Pool C stage, JKUT began their campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over Gujarat, with scores of 25-23, 25-17, and 25-22. They followed this with another dominant 3-0 win over Tripura (25-16, 25-19, 25-17). A dramatic encounter against Bihar saw JKUT bounce back from a first-set loss to secure a 3-2 win, with the scores reading 24-26, 25-20, 25-18, 19-25, and 15-10. In the next match, the J&K team made history by overcoming Uttar Pradesh 3-1 (17-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21), and in their final pool match, they sealed a commanding 3-0 victory over Manipur (25-22, 25-20, 25-22), securing their place in the pre-quarterfinals.
The Senior National Volleyball Championship, held over seven days across seven volleyball courts in Jaipur, has attracted over 1,200 players and officials from across India. The event has gained widespread attention, with dignitaries from the Volleyball Federation of India, including members of the Adhoc Committee, Rohit Rajpal (IOA Chairman), Dr. Alaknand Ashok (Joint Secretary, IOA), and various Arjuna awardees, gracing the event. The championship is supported by foreign coaches, including Hitesh Malhotra, the Head of Volleyball Empowerment & NF Relations at FIVB, who are working towards enhancing the standard of volleyball in India.
In addition to the remarkable performances, the organizing committee has ensured smooth logistical arrangements, including accommodation and transportation, to support the successful conduct of this mega event. The championship is also serving as a platform to identify talented players, further raising the profile of volleyball in India.
The historical achievement of the J&K Men’s Volleyball Team has been widely praised. The office bearers of the Volleyball Association of Jammu & Kashmir (VAJK) and the J&K Sports Council have expressed immense pride in the team’s performance, recognizing the dedication and hard work of both players and coaches. This success is seen as a significant milestone in the development of volleyball in Jammu & Kashmir.
The team’s remarkable journey in the Senior National Volleyball Championship has not only brought pride to the Union Territory but also set a new benchmark for future volleyball players in the region. Despite the loss to Haryana in the pre-quarterfinals, the JKUT men’s team has earned widespread admiration and will continue to inspire future generations of volleyball players in Jammu & Kashmir.