Proliga volleyball takes to the court next week

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

After being postponed from mid-February due to the Dec. 26 tsunami, the 2005 Sampoerna Hijau Proliga volleyball competition will open begin next week.

Head of the Indonesian Volleyball Association (PBVSI) Rita Wibowo said on Thursday that Proliga would be held in Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Gresik in East Java.

Jakarta will host the first series of matches from March 4 to March 6, followed by Bandung (March 11-13), Jakarta (March 18- 20), Gresik (April 8-10), Jakarta (April 15-17) and Yogyakarta (April 22-24).

"We're sure that people have been waiting for the tourney, which was postponed following the devastating tsunami disaster in Aceh," Rita told a news conference.

The six men's teams are Jakarta Electric PLN Jakarta 46 BNI, Surabaya Samator, Jakarta Monas Bank DKI, Yogya Yuso and Jakarta P2B Sananta.

Jakarta Electric PLN, Jakarta 46 BNI, Gresik Phonska Bak, Jakarta Monas Bank DKI, Yogya Muso and Bandung Art Deco Bank Jabar will play in the women's division

Proliga, which began in 2002, will comprise two rounds this year, with one round consisting of three series of matches.

With a total purse of Rp 410 million, the winning teams each receive Rp 75 million.

During the break between the two rounds from March 21 until April 8, Semarang will hold an exhibition match of Proliga all stars, who will be selected through the polling of spectators and journalists.

Several foreign players, including from Brazil, the U.S., Peru and Australia, are also scheduled to play for local teams during the event.

Rita also said that the Indonesian's men volleyball team would participate in the qualifying tournament for the 2008 Olympic Games in Cebu, the Philippines, from March 1-March 6.

"This is the first time for Indonesia to play in the qualification for the 2008 Olympic Games with a target to secure one of two berths for the next round," Rita said.

Indonesia will compete against Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, Macau and Tonga in the qualifying tournament, she added.

Only 11 players will take part in the qualifying as Andri Widiatmoko is still suffering from a leg injury.