"When there are no jobs,there are no players",Aejaz

We have the IPL.The ISL (Indian S

occer League) is expected to start this year. Badminton is to follow suit. Waiting and watching are also tennis fans. There is talk of Nadal and the likes coming to Goa. Beating them all , however, is the game of volleyball.

Unlike other sports , volleyball stands out because the Volleyball Professional League (VPL) is the only one that has all Indian players demonstrating their ware. And , they do it in style. The VPL was started in 2010 and carries a prize money of Rs 10 lakhs. There are six teams partaking in the VPL. They are: Chennai Strikers, Karnataka Bulls,Maratha Warriors,Yaman Tigers(from Pondicherry) and Kerala Killers.

The first VPL was held in Bangalore. It then moved to Chennai from where it proceeded to Yaman. Its last stop was in Hyderabad. The VPL was not held this year due to the elections. “ The players are from the Indian camp and from clubs. No foreign players are involved not because of money , but because we need at least six months to bbok them “ states Aejaz S Shaikh , international volleyball referee candidate.

“Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab , Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan produce the best players. In these  States, the game is played at the grassroot level.They also have the infrastructure, body structure,coaching facilities and provide jobs “ says Aejaz who hails from Mumbai.

“There are only two types of volleyball-insdoor and beach volleyball. Beach volleyball is outdoors and is very famous all over the world. In India too in coastal areas”, affirms Aejaz.” The Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) just organised a beachvolleyball tournament in Rishikesh.It was great “ admits Aejaz.

Aejaz is in Goa along with Y.K Choudapur from Karnataka to officiate the All India Volleyball tournament held by Cuncolim Union.”Cricket is only played much in India.Volleyball is played in 220 countries of the world. The World Volleyball League carries a prize money of one billion”, Aejaz states.

“You just need two poles and the net. It does not need much infrastructure. This is why it has such a following all over the world. It was the most viewed game in the London Olympics”, Aejaz adds.

“There is a lack of jobs for players in Goa. One can play at an amateur level till the age of 23. What happens after that? This is the problem facing Goa. When there are no jobs, there are no players”, rues Aejaz.

Yes! We need jobs. Just love for the game will not help in sustaining it for a long time.