Black Hawks Hyderabad all set to make mark

​Hyderabad: As the inaugural edition of the Pro Volleyball League draws closer, Black Hawks Hyderabad under the captainship of world championship gold medallist Carson Clark, on Thursday introduced the young side which is all set for a high intensity battle for the League Title.

All the team members along with the franchisee owners were seen in the New Jersey which was launched earlier by K T Rama Rao, MLA & Working President, Telangana Rashtra Samithi, a press release said.

Black Hawks Hyderabad, a franchisee owned by Agile Group and other private investors from Hyderabad under the supervision of Coach Dr. Bir Singh Yadav, the Head Coach for the Indian national volleyball team, is a mix of young and energetic bunch of talent, amongst the other teams in the league and leading them as the captain is Carson Clark who will be assisted by Ashwal Rai the vice-captain, a team member of Karnataka, who won the 67th Senior National Volleyball Championship 2019. 

Other players representing Black Hawks Hyderabad include: Muthusamy (setter), Rohit Kumar (Attacker), Amit Kumar (Attacker), Sonu Jhakar (Blocker), Chirag (Attacker), Kamlesh khatik (Libero), Nandi Yashwant (Setter), Guramritpal Singh (Blocker), Angumuthu (Universal) and Alex Badder (Attacker). 

Introducing the team, Carson Clark the captain said: “I am very happy that I am leading the youngest team in Pro Volleyball league 2019. Looking at the high confidence and the energy that the entire team is putting in I am confident that we will be the first champions of the pro volleyball league 2019” 

Among the dignitaries present at the launch were Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Industries and IT Secretary to Govt of Telangana, Shri Dinakar Babu, IAS, Managing Director, Sports Authority of Telangana State & Dr V R K Rao, CMD of Agile Group. 

Speaking on the occasion Jayesh said: “I am delighted that Hyderabad is being represented in this inaugural edition of the Pro Volleyball League and we want to make Hyderabad a serious contender to host future editions of the Pro Volleyball League and we are aware of the fact that this cannot be achieved overnight. 

“A gradual and continuous approach is needed to achieve this. We plan to create state-of-the-art infrastructure, develop sporting culture, host national and international sports events and encourage sports personalities by being part of such initiatives. I wish the team Black Hawks Hyderabad all the best in maiden journey.” 

Dr V R K Rao stated: “The Pro Volleyball League is definitely the first step towards bringing more popularity and visibility to the sport of Volleyball in India. We are very happy to be part of the Volleyball league as the Franchisee team from Hyderabad. We are all set and confident that we will win the Pro volleyball season 1 2019 title. As a proud owner, I wish my Black Hawks all the very best.”

Pro Volleyball league is an initiative by Baseline Ventures Private Limited and Volleyball Federation of India. The league starts in Kochi on 2nd February and the finals will be played in Chennai on 22nd February. The 6 teams will not only be vying for the prize money and the championship but also the winner of the league will take part in the Asian Club championships to be held in April in Chinese Taipei. A total of 18 matches would be played in two legs to be held in - Kochi and Chennai. The first 12 matches will take place in Kochi while the remaining six matches, including the two semi-finals and the final, would be held in Chennai.