Foreign player cap set to boost domestic opportunity

Local jump: Sinyin (left) of China plays in a match at the National Volleyball Championship. Viet Nam plans to limit foreign volleyball players from competing in the country from next year. — VNS Photo Quang Thang

HA NOI — Viet Nam plans to limit foreign volleyball players from competing in the country from 2013.

The Volleyball Federation of Viet Nam (VFV) said the move was designed to promote the domestic game.

"We have weighed up the pros and cons of using foreigners in our tournaments. We have proposed to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to bar foreigners from competing in the country. It is time to use our own players, as other countries in the region have decided to do," said Tran Duc Phan, VFV's general secretary.

Foreign players have been competing in Viet Nam since 2005. However, it is thought they have deterred local players from participating in the sport.

The championship drew around 20 foreign players from Thailand, Russia and China last year.

Last year was the seventh year the federation allowed teams to sign two foreign players, though only one is allowed on court at a time.

Volleyball joined football in becoming a professional sport six years ago.

At the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia last November the men's team failed to make the top three, while the women's team was defeated by Thailand in the final. — VNS