Thinley Namgay

Team Sharcho Khorlo defeated CSCG Boys in two straight sets in the ongoing Men’s Open Volleyball Championship at the Changlimithang volleyball ground yesterday.

The game ended at 25-16 in both the sets in favour of the team from the East. The team also defeated team RBP by two sets to one in the other match yesterday.

Thimphu-based CSCG Boys started well. However, lack of coordination between players slowly began to take a toll on the newcomers. Despite several efforts to get back in the game, the team failed to win a set.

With the defeat yesterday, CSCG has lost three consecutive games in the tournament so far.  Skipper Dorji Gyeltshen said, “We might not be able to get into the quarter-finals, but I am glad that we got an opportunity to play despite the pandemic.”

Sharcho Khorlo’s manager, Sangay Dorji, said, “Despite the limited practice, I am confident that my players will continue with the winning spirit since most of them are seasoned players.”

A total of 19 teams from Thimphu, Paro, Bumthang, and Samdrupjongkhar are taking part in the league-cum-knockout tournament that began on November 24.

The league round game is played in a ‘best of two’ format, and the ‘best of three’ format will be implemented once the tournament enters the quarter-finals.

Of the total 48 games, 18 were completed as of yesterday. With six points, team Rai Bai from pool B is currently in the lead.

Organised by the Bhutan Volleyball Federation, the tournament is conducted under strict compliance of the Covid-19 safety protocols.

The federation’s programme officer, Sangay Tempa, said that club players registered with the federation were not allowed in the tournament. “This is mainly to make the game more interesting within the participating teams.”

The final match will be played on November 29.

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