Bangkok, Thailand, January 14, 2015 – The Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) has recently launched its annual competition calendar, as seven countries including powerhouses China have confirmed their participation in all six AVC tournaments this year.

According to the calendar, six major indoor volleyball competitions will be hosted by six different nations. China, Japan, Thailand, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei are the seven nations which have submitted their entries to take part in all competitions sanctioned by the AVC.

Thrills and spills are expected in action-packed May when three tournaments will take place, starting with the first Asian Women’s U23 Volleyball Championship, to be held in Manila, the Philippines from May 1 to 9. A total of 12 nations confirmed their participation in the inaugural competition. Aside from the afore-mentioned seven countries, the remaining five participating teams in the top-notch nine-day event consist of Korea, Macao, India, Uzbekistan and Malaysia.

Later, the inaugural Asian Men’s U23 Volleyball Championship will be next held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar between May 12 and 20 with a huge interest from 19 countries. Saudi Arabia became the last team to submit the late entry. Only top two teams apiece from the Asian Men’s U23 and the Asian Women’s U23 events will clinch berths to test their mettle in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U23 World Championship in Dubai, the UAE from August 24 to 31 and the FIVB Volleyball Women’s U23 World Championship in Ankara, Turkey during August 12 and 19 respectively.

Also in May, all eyes will be on the Asian women’s spikers when they will take part in the 18th Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship, which is due to take place in Tianjin and Beijing, China from May 20 to 28.

A total of 15 teams confirmed their participation in the top-flight tournament, with Thailand, which already kicked off their training in preparation for many major tournaments this year including the FIVB World Grand Prix, the South East Asian Games and the Asian meet, in a fierce campaign for their title defence.

However, indomitable China are expected to come out in full force in an effort of regaining their pride lost two years ago in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, where the title-holders experienced the worst performance in the Asian meet history following their below-par fourth place.

Meanwhile, Iran will be the battleground for the 18th Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship from July 31 to August 8, with 19 countries participating. Saudi Arabia was also the last team to submit their entry form. Iran are  pursuing their dreams of capturing the Asian crown three times in a row on home soil.

The remaining two tournaments to be sanctioned by the AVC are the Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship during August 13 and 21 in Chinese Taipei and the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship from September 12 to 20 in Hanam, Vietnam. Only the winners in each tournament will represent Asia in the next year’s FIVB Men’s and Women’s World Club Volleyball Championships.

Iraq submitted their late entry form to the AVC, leaving a total of 17 countries to be pitted against one another in the Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship, while the women’s tournament in Vietnam has attracted only nine nations to vie for the top honour. They comprise China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkmenistan, the Philippines, Thailand and hosts Vietnam.