The sixth international women’s volleyball tournament began in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang on February 18.

Present at the opening ceremony were provincial leaders and representatives from Vietnam Television (VTV) and the Vietnam Volleyball Federation along with 2,000 supporters.

The event this year draws the participation of four domestic teams, including VTV-Binh Dien, LienVietPostBank, Vietinbank, and Pacific Petro Construction and Installation Corporation (PPC). They compete against four foreign clubs: Australia’s national team, China’s Jiangsu club, the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Yang Sang club and Thailand’s Air Asia Suansunanthan club.

The eight teams will be divided into two groups to play in a round robin format to select four group winners for the semi-final games.

The organizing board will award a cash prize worth US$12,000 for the championship. Another prize worth US$7,000 will go to the second place team. The third and fourth place teams will be given US$5,000 and US$2,000, respectively. The consolation and style prize-winners will be awarded US$1,000.

Prior to the opening ceremony, a match between LienVietPostBank and the RoK’s Yang Sang club was held. LienVietPostBank defeated the RoK’s club with a score of 3-0.

Tran Quang Lap, Vice Chairman of Hau Giang provincial People’s Committee, and head of the organizing board, said the tournament provides an opportunity for the province to introduce its land and people, and culture to international friends, and for domestic teams to experience the competing styles of foreign clubs.

(VOV)