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**truebluefan** · 04-09-2008, 07:47 AM

Thailand to Host Asian Beach Volleyball Invitation

Beach spikers from 15 countries will test their mettle in the "Phatthalung - Loma Sangsom" Asian Beach Volleyball Invitation from April 9 to 11 at Saensuk Lampam Beach, Phatthalung.

Somkual Rawirat, secretary-general of the Thailand Volleyball Association, said in the recent press conference that the three-day tournament will be held with the main objectives of promoting the sport among local enthusiasts and raising the standard of the Asian players.

"I hope that this tournament will serve as the stepping stone of our Asian players to be pitted against much stronger players in the major future competitions," Somkual said.

Also attending the meeting were Prateep Kongruang, clerk of the Phatthalung Municipality, TVA'S advisor Kij Prukcha-oom and TVA'S executive member Shanrit Wongprasert.

A total of 46 teams including 26 men's will participate in the invitational tournament. The participating teams comprise Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Thailand.

The host side will send six teams including three each in the men's and women's categories. The last year's South East Asian Games champions Kamolthip Kulna and Yupha Phukrongploy will lead the Thai assault. Their closest rivals are likely to be Chinese and Australian players. Japan did not take part this time.

**truebluefan** · 04-09-2008, 07:48 AM

Thailand national women's volleyball team will leave for Turkey on April 8 in campaign for their overseas training in preparation for the World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo, Japan between May 17 and 25.

The tournament is also valid as the Asian Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament. A total of eight teams – hosts Japan, Thailand, Korea, Kazakhstan, Dominican Republic, Poland, Puerto Rico and Serbia - will be pitted against one another to vie for four Olympic berths to be awarded for the top three teams plus the best Asian side.

Supported by the "Sang Som Leads Thai Volleyball to the Olympics" Project, the Thai girls will undergo the intensive training in Turkey and Israel between April 8 and 21.

Team manager Kiartipong Ratchatakriangkrai revealed that after two key players – Patcharee Sangmuang and Piyamas Koyjapoh called it a day, three new talents had joined the Thai squad and, though inexperienced in international matches, the trio have long been training with the team. However, the last 12 players will soon be selected to make the team for the Japan trip.

Three main players – setter Nussara Tomkom, Vilawan Apinyapong and Onuma Sittirak, all of them played international league in Europe, already returned to Thailand and joined the hard training with the team. With the spearheads of the key trio, the Thai team are expected to improve their games against much stronger rivals during their participation in the World Olympic Qualification Tournament.

The other two hard attackers – Pluemjitr Thinkhao and Malika Kanthong, both of them have been playing with the Konya Areri Club in the Turkish Volleyball League, will join the Thai team upon their arrival in Turkey.

"We (staff coaches) have initially planned that our team can take on Turkey's well-known clubs including Fenebarce and Marmaris teams before we next travel to Tel Aviv on April 13 to play the Israeli national squad. We hope to take around 8-10 matches with teams from the two countries," Kiartipong said.

After the completion of the tour in Turkey and Israel, the Thai team will return to train on home soil prior to leaving for Japan on May 7. There, the team will take on Japanese Pioneer Rockets team and stay there until the opening of the World Olympic Qualification Tournament on May 17.

Thailand and Dominican Republic will play in the curtain-raiser on May 17. The Thai girls next take on Korea the following day before meeting Puerto Rico on May 20. On May 21, Thailand will go up against Serbia, competing against Poland on May 23 and hosts Japan on May 24. They will play their final match against Kazakhstan on May 25.

Possible team line-up: Rattanaporn Sanuanram, Kornvika Apinyapong, Saimai Pladsrichuay, Siriporn Suksaen, Pluemjit Thinkhao, Onuma Sitthirak, Naruemol Khan-an, Uthaiwan Kaensing, Vilawan Apinyapong, Amphon Hyapha, Nussara Tomkom, Malika Khanthong and libero Wanna Buakaew.

**truebluefan** · 04-09-2008, 07:50 AM

Iranian Super League tournament came to an end recently after 26 weeks competition with Paykan club team successfully defending their champion title. Saipa team was runner up and Peghah Uromiyeh placed on third.

A total 13 teams participated in the Super League and matches were played on elimination system with home and away matches. In 13 weeks, each week there were 6 matches.

Besides, in the League of first division, 15 teams, which were divided into in two groups, played on the home and away system, with the top three in each group entering the final round. The first and second finishers are to enter the super league of coming year.

Bearge Kerman finished first followed by shahid Rabiee Semenan and Hamlo nagle Urimeh.

In the League of Second division, a total of 25 teams compete with each other in 5 groups, with the top two in each group going to the final round. Shahrdari Arak won the first place, Peyam Mokhaberat Khorasan shomali got the second and Meli Haffari Ahwaz the third.

It should be mentioned the matches were played in round the country, so different cities in the size of large or small had the games in their home towns. Many players and a huge number of fans of volleyball were gathered in the halls. It is good way for improving volleyball in every corner of the country. All these matches were related to men.

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