Bangkok, Thailand, March 3, 2020 – Nakhon Ratchasima, a big city and gateway to the North East of Thailand, has confirmed readiness to host the 2020 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship at The Mall Korat and Terminal 21 Korat between April 18 and 25, as the host city has launched security measures and intensified preventive measures against the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak at both competition venues.
For Thailand, this will be the first time in 20 years to host this topflight competition. Suphan Buri became the first Thai province to stage the Asian Men’s Club Championship in 2000 and the country has never hosted the tournament since then.
An official press conference on Nakhon Ratchasima’s confirmation on its readiness to host the 2020 edition took place on Tuesday at Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel Bangkok, with Mr Somporn Chaibangyang, President of Thailand Volleyball Association, and AVC Secretary-General Mr Shanrit Wongprasert jointly presiding. A number of media representatives, sponsors, supporters and part of Thai players also attended the meeting.
TVA President Somporn Chaibangyang, center
A total of 14 teams plus one host side have already confirmed participation in this championship, which will be held simultaneously at The Mall Korat Shopping Mall’s MCC Hall and Terminal 21 Shopping Mall’s Terminal Hall from April 18 to 25. The Mall Korat has already served as main venue for major competitions including the 2002 FIVB World Grand Prix Pool D, the 2017 Asian Women’s U23 Championship and the FIVB Girls’ U18 World Championship in 2009, while Terminal 21 Hall became the battleground of the four-a-side 2019 Asean Grand Prix.
“Nakhon Ratchasima is host to several major volleyball competitions. By hosting the 2020 Asian Men’s Club Championship, Nakhon Ratchasima is trying to elevate its position in the continental arena and adding to international awareness of its potential as a sports events and tourist destination. To host the tournament may be an interesting opportunity to put this city back on track after “a February 8 mass shooting,” Somporn was quoted as saying in the press conference.
Watcharapol Tomornsak, chairman of the Nakhon Ratchasima Volleyball Club, centre
Mr Watcharapol Tomornsak, chairman of the Nakhon Ratchasima Volleyball Club who was present on behalf of Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Mr Wichian Chanthranothai, said that the city has early this year hosted the AVC Women’s Tokyo 2020 Qualification and seen learning from mistakes as an opportunity to improve even more.
“On behalf of Nakhon Ratchasima and its residents, I would like to express my sincere thanks for AVC to entrust us. Actually, we’ve met for several times to brainstorm ideas and make things clear that we are 100% ready for hosting the 2020 Asian Men’s Club Championship. All is set for the tournament. We are convinced that the 2020 Asian Men’s Club Championship will be held successfully and without any doubt, this produces an international standard that makes competitions, judging and criteria relatively uniform throughout the continent and the world,” cited Watcharapol.
“By hosting this topnotch tournament, we are very determined to prove to Asia and the world as well that Nakhon Ratchasima is an able city. In terms of the grave Covid-19 outbreak concerns, we are also ready to fight it and are taking all necessary precautions as we work closely with public health agencies and health care services in response to this virus. We will be launching the increased preventive measures against Covid-19 outbreak at both competition venues. To make this tournament a great success will return happiness and smiles to Thailand and Nakhon Ratchasima in particular.”
AVC Secretary-General Shanrit Wongprasert
Mr Shanrit pointed out that AVC has tried to catch up on all the latest updates of the Covid-19 outbreak and after conducting a feasibility study that has shown the least influential effect of the virus to Thailand, AVC came to a decision that Nakhon Ratchasima can host the 2020 Asian Men’s Club Championship in April, ensuring that travelling to Thailand and Nakhon Ratchasima remains safe.
“FIVB has already cancelled and postponed a few major World Tour beach volleyball events in China, the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak, but many events outside Mainland China can still be held including this week’s World Tour event in Guam and Australia. In terms of the 2020 Asian Men’s Club Championship, AVC has intended to stage this tournament ahead of the Ramadan period. However, despite the Covid-19 outbreak concerns, I’m still upbeat that Nakhon Ratchasima and Thailand alike can effectively and efficiently combat the spread of the virus. A total of 14 teams plus one host side confirmed participation and entry forms by names have also been submitted. AVC is ready to stage the Asian Men’s Club Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, the first AVC championship in 2020,” Shanrit said.
Puttachad Srinisakorn, general manager, corporate marketing, The Mall Group
Papichaya Na Nakhonphanom, director of Terminal 21 Korat Shopping Mall
In 2019, the Asian Men’s Club Championship took place in Chinese Taipei. Iran’s Shahrdari Varamin captured the title, with Japan’s Panasonic Panthers in second place. Qatar’s Al-Rayyan came third, while India’s Chennai Spartans, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and hosts Taichung Bank finished 4th, 5th and 6th places respectively. Thailand’s Est Cola returned with a disappointing 10th position. A total of 14 teams took part in the 2019 edition.
Surin Krittayaphongphun, president of Bangkok Media and Broadcasting Company (PPTV), left, and Prajaya Chaiyakam, Managing Director of SMM Sport and Multimedia Business
2020 ASIAN MEN’S CLUB VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand between April 18 and 25, 2020
DRAWING OF LOTS
Pool A: Thailand A (organisers), Australia (8th), Hong Kong China
Pool B: Iran (1st), Vietnam (7th), Thailand B, Korea
Pool C: Japan (2nd), Chinese Taipei (6th), Kazakhstan, Philippines
Pool D: Qatar (3rd), Sri Lanka (5th), China, Uzbekistan
MATCH SCHEDULE (all local times)
Preliminary round
April 18, 2020
The Mall Korat
14.00: Hong Kong China v Thailand A
16.30: Qatar v Uzbekistan
19.00: Sri Lanka v China
Terminal 21 Korat
11.30: Thailand B v Korea
14.00: Kazakhstan v Chinese Taipei
16.30: Japan v Philippines
19.00: Vietnam v Iran
.
April 19, 2020
The Mall Korat
14.00: Australia v Hong Kong China
16.30: Thailand B v Vietnam
19.00: Qatar v Sri Lanka
Terminal 21 Korat
11.30: Philippines v Chinese Taipei
14.00: Korea v Iran
16.30: Japan v Kazakhstan
19.00: Uzbekistan v China
.
April 20, 2020
The Mall Korat
14.00: Sri Lanka v Uzbekistan
16.30: Thailand A v Australia
19.00: China v Qatar
Terminal 21 Korat
11.30: Vietnam v Korea
14.00: Iran v Thailand B
16.30: Kazakhstan v Philippines
19.00: Chinese Taipei v Japan
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