As stunning serves and powerful smashes are set to enthral the crowd in the coming days, the Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) is gearing up for the domestic season.
A total of 110 matches featuring 11 teams will be played over the next five months and QVA President Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi said he was expecting some exciting match-ups.
“I hope the 38th edition of the league will be as exciting as it has been over the years. I’ve seen preparations of most teams and all of them are raring to go. We can expect some close contests in the coming days,” said Al Mawlawi to Doha Stadium Plus.
Though arch-rivals Al Arabi and Al Rayyan have dominated the Qatar League ever since it started in 1980, Al Mawlawi feels other teams will come good.
“We’ve relaxed the rules to create a level playing field. Now one of the two professionals must be an Under-23 player. This’ll help relatively weaker teams,” Al Mawlawi added.
The QVA chief believes the players look much fresh and rejuvenated after the extended break following Qatar’s withdrawal from the Fifth Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup.
Qatar were to compete in the AVC Cup in Nakhom Pathom, Thailand, last month, but pulled out after key players failed to recover from injuries in time.
“It was a blessing in disguise that we pulled out of the AVC Cup. The players look much fresh and fitter now, and they’re all ready to give their best,” he added.