Fergana, Uzbekistan, May 29, 2025: The much-anticipated CAVA Men’s Volleyball Nations League 2025 officially commenced on Thursday here, bringing together seven national teams from Central and South Asia for a week-long celebration of elite volleyball.
Running from May 29 to June 4, the tournament saw participating teams divided into two pools: Pool A included hosts Uzbekistan alongside Turkmenistan, Iran and India, while Pool B comprised Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.
The opening day featured three exciting matches that showcased the region’s volleyball potential. In the first match of the day, Iran delivered a solid performance against India, overcoming a slow start to secure a 3–1 (20–25, 25–19, 25–19, 25–22) win.
Ali Hajipour was a standout performer for Iran with his consistent attacking and powerful blocks, supported by Amirhossein Sadati who contributed key points throughout the match.
For India, Chirag Chirag and Ashwal Rai kept the contest alive with dynamic offensive efforts, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Iranian comeback. The thrilling match, played in front of 500 spectators, lasted just over two hours.
The second match saw Kyrgyzstan take control of Pool B with a 3–1 (25–21, 25–20, 18–25, 25–21) victory over Kazakhstan.
Zheenbek Uulu Zhandos led Kyrgyzstan with 16 attack points and 3 blocks, while Kanybek Uulu Onolbek added 13 points and consistently pressured Kazakhstan with strong serves and quick attacks.
For Kazakhstan, Petr Churzin and Vladimir Prokofyev were bright spots, but Kyrgyzstan’s teamwork and defense proved decisive. Around 600 fans enjoyed the fast-paced match filled with long rallies and powerful finishes.
In the final match of the day, host nation Uzbekistan took on Turkmenistan in what was expected to be a closely contested battle. Despite taking the second set, Uzbekistan fell 1–3 (25–27, 25–21, 24–26, 14–25) in front of a lively crowd of 800 spectators.
Turkmenistan’s Durdylyyev Mekan was exceptional with 12 attack points and consistent serving, while Bagtyyar Hemrakulyev’s 17 points and 55% attack success rate anchored their win. Uzbekistan’s Ogabek Haydarov and Javokhir Khushvaktov made a strong effort, combining for several key plays, but Turkmenistan’s experience and momentum were too much to overcome.
Following the conclusion of the day’s matches, the official opening ceremony of the CAVA Men’s Volleyball Nations League 2025 was held, featuring cultural performances and speeches that highlighted the significance of the event in strengthening regional cooperation through sport.
After Day 1, Turkmenistan and Iran had three points from one win each, but the former led the charge in Pool A with better points ratio. India and Uzbekistan came in third and fourth places respectively. Kyrgyzstan topped Pool B with 3 points from one win.
The competition resumes on Friday with three more matches: Pakistan will debut against Kyrgyzstan in the day’s first match, followed by a high-stakes Pool A clash between Turkmenistan and Iran, and ending with host Uzbekistan facing India in a must-win matchup.
Fans around the world can catch all the action live on YouTube, as Fergana continues to serve as the heart of Central Asian volleyball.
QUICK LINKS
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
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AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
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