Noida: With six teams securing their places in the Super 6 stage of the inaugural Volleyball Champions League (VCL), the league’s organisers held a press conference at the Noida Indoor Stadium, bringing together VCL Founders Kulvant Baliyan and Dhiraj Manjeri, senior officials and representatives of the qualified teams to discuss the competition’s progress and the future of volleyball in India.
Baliyan and Manjeri reiterated the league’s commitment to creating a professional platform for volleyball players, particularly those from rural areas who often lack access to adequate resources and exposure. The discussion highlighted the importance of private investment, structured competitions and greater opportunities for young athletes in strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem.
“Volleyball has tremendous potential in India. It is an Olympic sport with a strong presence across villages, schools, colleges and institutions such as the Railways, Army, Navy, Air Force and public sector organisations. We believe the sport deserves a professional platform that can create more opportunities for players and help take Indian volleyball to the next level,” Baliyan said.
Highlighting the response to the player selection process, Baliyan revealed that approximately 6,000 to 7,000 players participated in the trials conducted in Kurukshetra and Kerala. Registration was free, and the trials attracted senior and junior players as well as university-level talent. Around 300 to 400 players were shortlisted from the pool before the auction, reflecting the depth of talent the league aims to bring into the professional circuit.
“Our aim was to build a system through which deserving players could get an opportunity to compete at the professional level. There are millions of talented youngsters in India who have the ability to represent the country, but many do not get the right opportunities or resources. Private organisations must complement government initiatives and help bridge that gap,” he added.
VCL Founder Dhiraj Manjeri highlighted the importance of building a sustainable platform that encourages more young athletes to pursue volleyball professionally. He stressed that the league’s broader objective is to strengthen the sport’s reach and create a pathway for emerging players to progress through competitive exposure.
“The long-term growth of volleyball depends on creating consistent opportunities for players and building an ecosystem that supports talent at every stage. The league is an important step towards bringing players, franchises and audiences together, while encouraging more youngsters to consider volleyball as a professional career,” Manjeri said.
VCL CEO Vishwas Bansal emphasised the importance of establishing a structured competition that combines sporting quality with professional opportunities. With 10 franchises participating in the inaugural season, the league aims to give players a competitive environment in which they can develop their skills and gain greater visibility.
“A professional league can play a vital role in increasing the visibility of volleyball and creating a stronger connection between players and fans. Our focus is on building a platform that supports the sport’s long-term development and gives talented athletes more opportunities to showcase their abilities,” Bansal said.
VCL COO Vijay Kumar highlighted the growing intensity of the competition as the league moves into the Super 6 stage, where the six qualified teams will continue their campaign in the race for the title.
“The Super 6 stage raises the level of competition, with every match becoming increasingly important. The teams have worked hard to reach this stage, and we expect the remaining fixtures to deliver exciting contests for fans while providing players with valuable experience at a professional level,” Kumar said.
Baliyan also underlined the importance of private organisations working alongside government initiatives such as Khelo India to strengthen the sporting ecosystem. He said better opportunities, financial support and access to competitive platforms could help talented youngsters from underserved backgrounds focus on their sporting ambitions and work towards representing India.
Reflecting on the league’s future, the VCL founder expressed optimism about volleyball reaching a wider audience in India. While the inaugural edition is being held in the Delhi-NCR region, the organisers are open to exploring other cities in future seasons as they look to expand the league’s footprint.
“Our long-term vision is to make the Volleyball Champions League a recognised platform for the development of volleyball in India. We want more youngsters to take up the sport, more players to get professional opportunities and more audiences to follow volleyball. If the league can help players build their careers, improve their financial stability and move closer to representing India, that will be a meaningful achievement,” Baliyan concluded.
The press conference was attended by VCL Founders Kulvant Baliyan and Dhiraj Manjeri, CEO Vishwas Bansal and COO Vijay Kumar. Team representatives included Tamil Titans captain Angamuthu, Ayodhya Garjan captain Aayush, Punjab AeroStrikers captain Vipul Kumar, Emperia Marathas head coach Pradheesh M.A. and Haryana Hurricanes head coach Vipin Kumar Tyagi.
