Hyderabad Black Hawks unveil long-term roadmap to develop volleyball across Telugu states
The Prime Volleyball League franchise has launched a grassroots development programme across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, beginning with open trials and U-21 talent scouting in Vijayawada.
The initiative began with the Prime Volleyball League Open Trials and Under-21 selection trials held at VR Siddhartha University in Vijayawada on Thursday, attracting aspiring players from across the region.
VIJAYAWADA: Hyderabad Black Hawks, a franchise in the Prime Volleyball League (PVL), has announced a long-term roadmap to promote and strengthen volleyball across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with a focus on grassroots talent development, coaching excellence and professional opportunities for young players.
The initiative began with the Prime Volleyball League Open Trials and Under-21 selection trials held at VR Siddhartha University in Vijayawada on Thursday, attracting aspiring players from across the region.
Inaugurating the trials, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Sports and Transport M. Ramprasad Reddy praised Hyderabad Black Hawks for its sustained efforts over the past four years to promote volleyball in the Telugu states. He assured the franchise of the state government’s full support in implementing programmes aimed at developing the sport at the grassroots level.
Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Chairman A. Ravi Naidu thanked Hyderabad Black Hawks owner Abhishek Reddy Kankanala for choosing Vijayawada as the venue for the trials. He said the authority would extend full support to the franchise’s plan to establish volleyball training centres, beginning with two government schools in the district before expanding to every mandal. He also invited the organisers to host a future season of the Prime Volleyball League in Vijayawada.
Speaking on the occasion, Abhishek Reddy Kankanala, Founder of KSG and Principal Owner of Hyderabad Black Hawks, outlined the franchise’s long-term vision for volleyball development in the two states.
He said the initiative would include annual talent hunts, support for district and rural-level tournaments, specialised coaching programmes led by national and international experts, and professional pathways for promising players.
The franchise also plans to identify two government schools in every district of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and work with state governments to introduce volleyball among students from Classes VI to VIII, helping nurture sporting talent from an early age.
Abhishek Reddy said building a strong sporting ecosystem requires collaboration between government agencies, sports associations and private organisations. He expressed confidence that such partnerships could transform the Telugu states into India’s leading volleyball hub.
The Under-21 trials witnessed participation from 105 players, while 40 players competed in the PVL Open Trials. Outstanding performers from the open trials will be shortlisted for the Prime Volleyball League players’ auction scheduled to be held in Goa on August 17.
The announcement comes shortly after the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) recognised the Prime Volleyball League as India’s first Division One professional volleyball league. The recognition will enable eligible Indian clubs to qualify for international competitions organised by the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA), the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and the FIVB, subject to qualification criteria.
