Independence Day V\\\'ball begins today

The Walton Smart TV 19th Independence Day Volleyball Tournament, organised by Bangladesh Volleyball Federation, begins at the Dhaka Volleyball Stadium in the city today (Monday), reports UNB.

Nine teams-defending champion Power Develop- ment Board, runners-up Bangladesh Army, Bangla- desh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangla-desh Police, Bangladesh Jail (Prison Directorate), Fire Service & Civil Defense and Ansar and VDP-split into two groups, will initially take part on league basis matches.

Later, top two teams from each of the groups will play in the semifinals. Sixteen players, now in national camp for the ensuing Indo-Bangla Games, will not be entitled to play in the tournament.

General Secretary of Bangladesh Volleyball Federation Ashiqur Rahman Miku briefed reporters about the tournament at a press conference at the NSC Tower in the city Sunday.

Senior Additional Director of the meet's sponsor RB Group (Walton) FM Iqbal Bin Anwar Dawn and BVF joint secretary Advocate Fazle Rabbi Babul also spoke on the occasion.

A budget of Tk 0.17 million was earmarked for the three-day tournament to be concluded Wednesday (Mar 25) at the same venue.

Three best players of the tournament will be awarded with Walton home appliances.