Vientiane, Laos, October 2, 2024 – Lao Skyway VC, defending champions Vientiane Capital by Inthasone, Grow-Up VC and Vientiane Club got off to brilliant starts in the 2024 Beerlao Laos Volleyball League at Army Indoor Sport Club, winning their first two matches to form the Top Four teams at the 10-team standing on the first-week campaign.
Lao Skyway VC
The 2024 edition of the Beerlao Laos Volleyball League, which is being held between September 28 and November 10, has attracted a total of 15 clubs comprising 10 men’s and 5 women’s teams vying for top honors and the shared prize money of 290 million kip (around US$13,140.04) on offer. Both events will be a single round-robin competition.
At the end of the 44-day tournament, teams with the best performance in men’s and women’s events will be crowned champions. The 2024 Beerlao Laos Volleyball League will also serve as the tournament selection for outstanding players who will next join the Laos national men’s and women’s teams in preparation for the next year’s 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.
The objectives of hosting the tournament were also to create the process of welcoming and celebrating the Laos National Day on December 2, its 49th Anniversary Celebration, and to uplift and develop the talents of athletes. Technical-managing committee as well as volleyball referees will also have a chance to review their roles and responsibilities to meet regional and international levels.
The opening ceremony took place on September 28, with Assoc Prof Palinyak Phout Simmalavong, Minister of Education and Sports and President of Lao National Olympic Committee (COL), presiding.
Also in attendance as guests of honour were Mr Paul Bartman, National Sale and Channel Director, Director of Sales and Distribution Channel of Lao Beer Co., Ltd., Mr Sengphone Phonarmad, Vice President and Secretary of COL, Mr Sichan Chittapanya, Head of High Level Sports Department, Mr Chansamone Phongchantha, President of the Laos National Volleyball Federation, President Beerlao Laos Volleyball League 2024 and Mr Vilavanh Bounsoukthai, the head of the Department of Athletics, Youth and Arts, along with the Executive Committee of the National Basketball Federation. Club presidents, coaches and athletes, judges and spectators also actively joined the ceremony.
On the first week of the tournament, the men’s and women’s matches took place between September 28 and 29 at the Army Indoor Sport Club (Km5), Xaysetha District in Vientiane.
The men’s event on September 28 saw Grow-Up VC manage a 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-22) shutout of Intention VC, Vientiane Club defeat Sunnivad VC 3-1 (25-18, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21).
Inthasone
Also registering their first victories in the tournament were reigning champions Vientiane Capital by Inthasone VC, which swept Chanthilath VC in straight sets 25-14, 25-23, 25-18, and Lao Skyway VC, which stormed past Butterfly VC 3-0 (25-12, 25-12, 25-22).
In the women’s competition, Department of Army Politics powered past Vientiane Club with dramatic 3-1 (25-16, 25-13, 29-31, 25-9) win.
On September 29, Vientiane Club lost the first two sets to Ministry of Defense but bounced back to win a well-fought five-set thriller 17-25, 16-25, 25-23, 25-23, 15-11, while Intention VC tasted their first win following their 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-17) rout of Butterfly VC, Lao Skyway VC made it two in a row after 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-17) win against MPC Blue Hawaii. Vientiane Capital by Inthasone also bagged two in succession following their 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-21) victory against Sunnivad VC, while Grow-Up PC struggled to beat Chanthilath VC 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-21, 25-18).
At the end of the first week, Lao Skyway VC went atop the 10-team standing in the men’s event with 6 points from two straight wins.
Defending champions Vientiane Capital by Inthasone also had the similar performance of 6 points from two wins in a row, but due to the points ratio, had to come in second place. Grow-Up VC are trailing in third position with 6 points from two wins on the trot.
In the women’s event, Department of Army Politics captured the top spot with 3 points from one win, followed by Vientiane Club with no point awarded.
RANKINGS AFTER FIRST WEEK
MEN
WOMEN
QUICK LINKS
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: www.twitter.com/AsianVolleyball
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
Mikasa Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/mikasasports_official
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation