Volleyball

Organisers hold a press conference of the International Women's Volleyball Cup -- VTV Ferrolli Cup 2024 on August 15 in Hà Nội. Photo CafeF

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam have set their sights on defending their title at the International Women's Volleyball Cup - VTV Ferrolli Cup 2024 despite the hosts not able to field their strongest line-up.

The tournament will be held from August 24-30 in Ninh Bình Province featuring seven international clubs and teams as well as Việt Nam.

After 20 editions, the organisers have decided to upgrade the quality of the 2024 season by inviting stronger teams. Among them, Henan Club are the top title favourite as they are No 4 in the Chinese volleyball league.

They will face Kuanysh, Kazakhstan's 2023 champions; Aranmare, Japan's No 12 team; and Expressway, South Korean championship 2023's silver holder.

Coming from Russia, Korabelka who won their League A title, will face Paint Masters of the Philippines home to five national team players and King Whale Taipei from Chinese Taipei, winner of the Taiwan Enterprise League 2022-23.

Việt Nam made remarkable progress in 2023 and 2024 with two AVC Challenge Cup titles, a crown of the Asian Women's Volleyball Clubs Championship, top four at the Asian championship and Asian Games 19. Their latest result was second at the SEA V.League's two stages.

Việt Nam win International Women's Volleyball Cup -- VTV Ferrolli Cup 2023 title.

Teams will be divided into two groups, competing in a round robin format. Top teams will qualify for the quarter-finals while the bottom ones will play for classification.

Video challenge technology will be applied in this tournament to ensure fairness.

A total of nearly US$32,000 will be delivers to participants with the champions walking away with $12,000. Organisers will give bonuses to outstand individual players.

If Việt Nam successfully defend their title, they will receive an additional VNĐ400 million from sponsor Ferrolli plus VNĐ200 million for a place in the final match.

Coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt and his team are training hard for the event after returning home from the SEA V.League's second leg in Thailand.

Kiệt said he would not have national best outside hitter Trần Thị Thanh Thúy in this event because of injury and her preparation to play in the Turkish league in the next few weeks.

“Her absence is regrettable for us. However, Việt Nam determine to keep the winning trophy home," he said.

Attending the press conference on August 15 in Hà Nội, Ninh Bình's Director of Culture and Sports Department Nguyễn Mạnh Cường said hosting the tournament is a good opportunity for his home town to popularise its beautiful images of nature beauty, friendly people and rich culture to international friends,

He confirmed that Ninh Bình well prepared facility, security, accommodation and services for the Cup. During this time, athletes will be invited to visit famous tourist attractions and landscapes of the province. VNS