Varanasi, 3 January. The 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship (Men and Women) has been organized from Sunday at Dr. Sampurnanand Sports Complex (Sigra) in Varanasi, the religious and cultural capital of Uttar Pradesh. A total of 58 teams will participate in the eight-day competition, which includes 30 men’s teams and 28 women’s teams.

Complete schedule of team groupings and matches

The Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) on Saturday released the complete details of the competition to be played on league cum knockout basis. A total of 14 league matches will be played in the men’s category and 13 in the women’s category on the first day. The league round will take place from January 4 to 7. After that the knockout round will start.

Men and women teams of host UP placed in Group C

In men’s category, 30 teams have been divided into six groups. Host UP men’s team has been placed in Group C along with Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Bihar. Whereas in the women’s category, 28 participating teams have been placed in a total of six groups. Host UP women’s team will compete in Group C with Punjab, Assam, Manipur and Andhra Pradesh.

For the first time in UP Matches will be played on 2 Tufflex courts

Organizing Committee Chairman Mayor Ashok Tiwari said that for the first time in Uttar Pradesh, matches will be played on two Tufflex courts in any volleyball competition. Toflex court items have been procured from Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. All matches will be played on four courts (two outdoor and two indoor) at Sigra Stadium.

PM Modi will do virtual inauguration, CM Yogi will be present

Varanasi’s popular MP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the competition at 10.30 am on Sunday, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be present himself and encourage the players. Uttar Pradesh Volleyball Association President and Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak will be present as a special guest at the inauguration ceremony. Along with him, many senior leaders of the state government and organization will also participate in the program.