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Tag: Bengaluru Torpedoes

  • Prime Volleyball League adds Kannada feed as regional push gathers pace

    Prime Volleyball League adds Kannada feed as regional push gathers pace

    HYDERABAD: The RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia is betting big on regional languages. From Saturday, matches will be available in Kannada—the sixth tongue added to a lineup that already includes English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. The move targets Karnataka’s volleyball-mad fanbase, particularly supporters of the Bengaluru Torpedoes.

    The tournament, now in its fourth year, is underway at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad. First-day viewership on YouTube was robust, with reach spread across all regional feeds. The Kannada addition comes as the league chases deeper penetration in southern markets.

    “The support we receive from Karnataka is immense,” says Bengaluru Torpedoes co-owner and director Yashwanth Biyyala. “Providing the livestream in our local language is a sincere effort to engage more deeply with our loyal fans.”

    Prime Volleyball League  chief executive Joy Bhattacharjya frames the expansion as nation-building. “Our large viewership on the opening day demonstrates the massive, multilingual appetite for volleyball across India,” he says. “This is about more than just numbers—it’s about creating a model for deep, inclusive fan engagement.”

    The 2025 season is being broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and streamed globally via YouTube. The channel offers match highlights, recaps, behind-the-scenes footage and other content designed to hook armchair fans. Four teams clash on Saturday: Kochi Blue Spikers face Bengaluru Torpedoes, whilst Chennai Blitz take on Kolkata Thunderbolts.

    The tournament runs until 26 October. By then, the league will know whether its multilingual gambit has scored the breakthrough it so craves.

  • Goa sets it, PVL spikes it with debut of 10th team, Goa Guardians

    Goa sets it, PVL spikes it with debut of 10th team, Goa Guardians

     MUMBAI: From sandy shores to centre court, Goa’s taking its volleyball love to the big league. The Prime Volleyball League (PVL) has just added a fresh dose of flair to its roster with the launch of its tenth franchise, the Goa Guardians. Backed by Netenrich chairman and CEO Raju Chekuri, the Guardians are set to debut in Season 4, which officially kicks off on 2 October 2025. With this move, PVL continues its streak of adding one team every season, cementing its reputation as one of India’s fastest-growing sporting leagues.

    Goa may be famous for its beaches and football fandom, but volleyball has long pulsed through its local communities and now, the state gets its long-overdue representation on the national stage.

    “We’re not just building a team, we’re building an Olympic dream,” said Chekuri, expressing his ambition to see India competing in volleyball at the highest global levels within the next decade. “Goa Guardians is a mission to harness the untapped potential across India and give our athletes the international exposure they deserve.”

    With over 160 players expected to go under the hammer, PVL’s Season 4 auction will take place on 8 June in Calicut and fans can catch every spike and steal live on the league’s YouTube channel.

    Baseline Ventures managing director and co-founder Tuhin Mishra which co-owns and markets the league, called the addition “a major boost” to the sport’s national presence. “There’s no shortage of talent in India, and a 10-team league means more chances for players to shine.”

    Also welcoming the new entrants was PVL CEO Joy Bhattacharjya, who said the Guardians are a “fantastic addition,” and praised Chekuri’s vision for grassroots development and international credibility.

    Goa Guardians now join a formidable line-up: Ahmedabad Defenders, Bengaluru Torpedoes, Calicut Heroes, Chennai Blitz, Delhi Toofans, Hyderabad Black Hawks, Kochi Blue Spikers, Kolkata Thunderbolts and Mumbai Meteors.

    With this expansion, PVL isn’t just growing in size, it’s growing in ambition. As the countdown to Season 4 begins, the league is poised to serve up thrilling rallies, bigger rivalries, and new regional heroes, all with one clear mission: to spike Indian volleyball into global consciousness.

  • FIVB and Bengaluru Torpedoes join hands to develop volleyball in the region

    FIVB and Bengaluru Torpedoes join hands to develop volleyball in the region

    Mumbai: The Bengaluru Torpedoes Volleyball Academy in India was officially recognised as a Volleyball Centre of Excellence in the country as the FIVB and Bengaluru Torpedoes signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last week.

    Situated within the esteemed Padukone Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence, the Bengaluru Torpedoes Volleyball Academy will serve as a hub for promoting volleyball, further amplifying its development and outreach endeavours.

    The MoU symbolises a shared dedication to cultivating talent, strengthening grassroots initiatives and enhancing the societal significance of volleyball regionally and globally. The partnership between the FIVB and Bengaluru Torpedoes will also facilitate a range of initiatives, including high-performance and grassroots activities, mass participation programmes, and knowledge exchange and collaborative projects geared towards enhancing athlete development. This will be achieved through quality sports science and medical services, alongside coaching and officiating.

    FIVB head of Technical and Development Steve Tutton expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Bengaluru Torpedoes Volleyball Academy in our mission to foster volleyball development. Together, we will leverage our expertise to implement innovative programmes and initiatives that will propel the sport to new heights.”

    Vishal Jaison, a spokesperson for Bengaluru Torpedoes, conveyed his enthusiasm for the partnership and commented: “This collaboration with the FIVB underscores our commitment to nurturing volleyball excellence from grassroots levels. By joining forces, we aim to expand opportunities for aspiring athletes and promote volleyball as an inclusive sport for all.”