Bangkok, Thailand, February 11, 2021 – The Thailand Volleyball League 2020-2021 season, which has been postponed as a result of the drastic increase of COVID-19 cases in the country, is due to resume from February 13 at the Nimibutr Gymnasium in Bangkok.
The first-leg encounters of the Thailand’s top-level professional volleyball league featuring a total of 16 teams including 8 apiece in the men’s and women’s events, are being held in a single round robin, with only top six teams from each category advancing to the second leg.
After the first three weeks, hot favourites Diamond Food captured the pole position in the men’s event with 9 points from three consecutive wins without losing a set. Reigning and six-time champions Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC are trailing closely in second place with similar 9 points from three successive wins, while Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana came in third position with 5 points from two wins against one loss.
In the women’s division, unbeaten Supreme, defending three-time champions and the powerhouses which captured the Asian Women’s Club Championship twice in 2017 and 2018, stayed atop the standings with 9 points from three straight wins, followed by Diamond Food with 7 points from two wins against one loss.
Khonkaen Star VC and Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC are trailing in third and fourth places respectively with similar 6 points from two wins against one loss.
Actually, the fourth-week encounters had been due to be held on January 9, but just one week ahead of the resumption of the competition, the organisers decided to postpone the top-flight domestic competition in line with the Thailand Government’s safety and health policies due to the second wave of coronavirus cases.
However, restrictions on business and activities imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus had been relaxed in late January as the situation has much improved. Sports competitions behind closed doors including soccer and volleyball have also been allowed.
With relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, the organisers including Thailand Volleyball Association met on January 30 to prepare for resumption of the tournament and eventually reached a unanimous decision that the fourth-week matches will resume on February 13 and since then, all matches until the end of the season will take place at Nimibutr Gymnasium.
However, to stage the on-going event, the organisers have to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health as well as Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
Therefore, all participating teams, in their preparation for resumption of the competition, must self-quarantine while in their competition period and register to use the Thai Chana mobile application to help track ‘safe’ retailers in a COVID era. In addition, all players, staff coaches, officials and everyone involved in the competition must undergo a nasal swab test ahead of the competition to make sure they are COVID-19 free.
According to the organisers, the Thailand Volleyball League 2020-2021 season will kick off its fourth-week encounters on February 13. The tournament continues every week, with additional mid-week matches taking place on February 17, February 24, March 10 and March 17. The final phrase will be held from April 2 to 11 at the same venue.
MATCH SCHEDULE
February 13, 2021 (local time)
Men
9am: Kasetsart VC vs Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC
3pm: Diamond Food VC vs Prince VC
Women
12pm: Samut Prakarn VC vs Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC
6pm: Diamond Food VC vs Supreme Chonburi E-Tech
February 14, 2021
Men
12pm: Air Force VC vs Visakha
3pm: Phitsanulok VC vs Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana
Women
9am: Proflex VC vs Khonkaen Star VC
6pm: RSU VC vs 3BB Nakornnont
Related links of AVC
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: https://twitter.com/avcvolley
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation