Nepal: In a landmark move for Asian volleyball, the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA), the governing body for volleyball in Central Asia, and Baseline Ventures have announced a strategic 10-year partnership aimed at revolutionising volleyball across the CAVA region. As the supporting Zonal Association of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), CAVA represents the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the AVC in Central Asia and South Asia, promoting indoor, beach, grass, and snow volleyball in the region. CAVA is affiliated with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
The focus of this partnership is to accelerate the growth and popularity of volleyball by launching the prestigious **CAVA Nations Cup**, an annual tournament featuring 6-8 teams from across the region. The competition will not only showcase regional talent but also offer FIVB ranking points, marking a significant step forward for volleyball in the CAVA region.
The CAVA Nations Cup is set to become a flagship event, bringing together top teams from Central Asia to compete at the highest level. With CAVA’s extensive regional expertise and Baseline Ventures’ proven success in organising the Prime Volleyball League over the past three years, the partnership aims to enhance the competitive standards of the sport while cultivating a passionate fanbase across Asia.
Mohamed Latheef, President of CAVA, shared his enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are excited to partner with Baseline Ventures, who have been the brainchild behind the very popular Prime Volleyball League in India. We are excited to work on the CAVA Nations Cup with Baseline as we witnessed India’s standout performance during the last Asian Games, which was a direct result of the success of Prime Volleyball League. Partnering with Baseline Ventures allows us to bring our vision to life, creating more opportunities for players and elevating the region’s profile on the global volleyball stage.”
Tuhin Mishra, Co-Founder & MD of Baseline Ventures, added: “We are proud to collaborate with the Central Asian Volleyball Association on the CAVA Nations Cup, which promises to be a game-changer for volleyball in Central Asia. This tournament will not only showcase the region’s talent but also provide players with a platform to compete for FIVB ranking points.”
The CAVA Nations Cup is expected to drive the sport’s growth across Central Asia and will act as a catalyst for further development, enhancing the region’s sporting identity. By combining competitive excellence with strategic marketing initiatives, this partnership aims to make volleyball a major sport in the region, further popularising it across the CAVA zone.
