Junior volleyball team makes history

The Indian team made the semifinals of the world championship being played in Pune.

The junior volleyball men’s team has created history in the FIVB world championship currently under way at Pune’s Balewadi Sports Complex. Seeded 10th in the tournament, India have made the semifinals trouncing Belgium 18-25, 25-19, 25-16, 22-25, 15-11 in their last group E quarterfinal league game. Tournament second seeds, Argentina, topped India’s pool.

By any yardstick, the semifinal entry has been quite an achievement. At a time, when international outfits use lack of quality exposure, efficient support staff and infrastructure as excuses to defend lack of performance, this volleyball team has actually done the unthinkable.

Written off much before the tournament started, India’s show has been laudable. But it wasn’t rosy all the way. Argentina thrashed India in a pool game, but India came back strongly against the Belgians to make the last-four grade.

In other group games, India got the better of giants Russia and even beat the United States, whose senior team had won the Beijing Olympics gold medal last year.

Head coach MH Kumara is cock-a-hoop. “It’s not easy to prepare a national team for an international championship without basic needs like exposure and back-up staff. This team has done wonders,” Kumara said.

“Entire credit to the team,” Kumara said, adding the Mandeep Singh-led squad has been high on motivation and held together by a conviction to do well.

The coach says, irrespective of India’s fortunes in the world meet in Pune, the semifinal ticket should motivate the Indian youth team that is set to leave for the world championship in Italy. “It’s a morale booster for the seniors as well,” says Kumara.

India play Brazil in the semis on Saturday while Cuba lock horns with Argentina.