International Women's Volleyball Cup features stronger teams

ABO/NDO- Vietnam 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 northern Ninh Binh province featuring seven international clubs and teams as well as Vietnam.

After 20 editions, the organisers have decided to upgrade the quality of the 2024 season by inviting stronger teams, such as Henan Club - No 4 in the Chinese volleyball league; Kuanysh, Kazakhstan's 2023 champions; Aranmare, Japan's No 12 team; and Expressway, the Republic of Korea championship 2023's silver holder; Korabelka, who won Russia’s League A title, and Paint Masters of the Philippines home to five national team players.

Vietnam 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.

Vietnam win International Women's Volleyball Cup - VTV Ferrolli Cup 2023 title. (Photo: CafeF).

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 32,000 USD will be delivers to participants with the champions walking away with 12,000 USD. Organisers will give bonuses to outstand individual players.

If Vietnam successfully defend their title, they will receive an additional 400 million VND from sponsor Ferrolli plus 200 million VND for a place in the final match.

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

Attending the press conference on August 15 in Hanoi, Ninh Bình's Director of Culture and Sports Department Nguyen Manh Cuong 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 added that Ninh Binh 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.

(Source: NDO)