Kathmandu, Nepal, 13 December 2024 –
In a groundbreaking move for the sport of volleyball in Asia, the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) and Baseline Ventures have announced a strategic 10-year partnership aimed at transforming volleyball in the CAVA region.
As the governing body for volleyball in Central Asia, CAVA serves as the supporting Zonal Association of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and works closely with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to promote the sport across countries in Central and South Asia. CAVA’s member nations include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
This partnership’s primary goal is to significantly elevate volleyball’s profile across the region by establishing the CAVA Nations Cup – an elite, annual competition set to feature 6-8 teams from the CAVA region. The event will also offer FIVB ranking points, marking a new chapter in the development of the sport across the area.
The CAVA Nations Cup is set to become the premier volleyball event in Central Asia, attracting top-tier teams to compete at the highest level. With CAVA’s deep knowledge of the region’s volleyball landscape, paired with Baseline Ventures’ expertise in organizing the successful Prime Volleyball League in India over the past three years, this collaboration is set to raise the competitive standards of the sport while building a fervent fan base across Asian nations.
Mohamed Latheef, President of CAVA, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “We are thrilled to partner with Baseline Ventures, the team behind the highly successful Prime Volleyball League in India. We witnessed India’s outstanding performance at the last Asian Games, a direct result of the success of the Prime Volleyball League. This partnership will allow us to bring our vision for the CAVA Nations Cup to life, providing more opportunities for players and boosting the region’s visibility on the global volleyball stage.”
Tuhin Mishra, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Baseline Ventures, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are proud to collaborate with CAVA on the CAVA Nations Cup. This tournament will not only highlight the incredible talent in Central Asia but will also provide a platform for players to earn FIVB ranking points, further elevating the region’s standing in the volleyball world.”
The introduction of the CAVA Nations Cup comes at a time when volleyball is experiencing significant growth globally. This initiative aims to serve as a catalyst for the sport’s continued development in Central Asia, combining world-class competition with strategic marketing efforts to establish volleyball as a key sport in the region’s athletic identity.
This historic partnership promises to bring volleyball in Central Asia to new heights, creating a lasting legacy for the sport in the region.
