GS Akhin is all set to make a comeback to his home turf but this time donning the jersey of Chennai Spartans.
GS Akhin
Chennai:
“It will be a privilege to play in front of the Kerala fans. But Tamil Nadu is the state from where my volleyball journey started,” said Akhin of his allegiance. The India international admitted that playing in Tamil Nadu improved his game. “Besides me there are a few other players from Kerala like KJ Kapil Dev and Vibin George who also have a lot of following in the state,” said Akhin about players from Kerala in his team.
The first season will see a total of 18 matches where each team will play against each other in a round robin format. The 18 matches are divided in two legs to be held in two cities - Kochi and Chennai. The first twelve matches will take place in Kochi while the remaining six matches, including the two semi-finals and the final, is going to be held in Chennai.
Speaking on what volleyball means to his birth state of Kerala, Akhin felt that the state loves sports in general, “The special thing about Kerala is the culture of sports is developed from the time we are in school and that is why we see so many players from Kerala coming through in Volleyball,” added Akhin.
An ardent fan of MS Dhoni, Akhin is optimistic about the impact of the league with much-needed boost of professionalism. “I have experienced the same myself after joining Chennai Spartans and things will only improve as the league gets underway. I feel it will enable us all to develop the level of commitment and dedication for the team,” said Akhin.
Talking about his team’s composition Akhin felt it just has the right balance. “I feel we have a good blend of both experience and upcoming talent and we have two great foreign players in Ruslan Sorokins from Latvia and Rudy Verhoeff from Canada, both of them are Olympians and will be key to our progress in the tournament.”
The inaugural edition of the league will see six franchises vying for the title.
The inaugural Pro Volleyball League which is scheduled to begin from February 2 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Kochi will see Chennai Spartans play its first match against Calicut Heroes on Feb 3 where Akhin will face his Kerala National teammate Jerome Vinith who will be playing for the Calicut Heroes.
“It will be a privilege to play in front of the Kerala fans. But Tamil Nadu is the state from where my volleyball journey started,” said Akhin of his allegiance. The India international admitted that playing in Tamil Nadu improved his game. “Besides me there are a few other players from Kerala like KJ Kapil Dev and Vibin George who also have a lot of following in the state,” said Akhin about players from Kerala in his team.
The first season will see a total of 18 matches where each team will play against each other in a round robin format. The 18 matches are divided in two legs to be held in two cities - Kochi and Chennai. The first twelve matches will take place in Kochi while the remaining six matches, including the two semi-finals and the final, is going to be held in Chennai.
Speaking on what volleyball means to his birth state of Kerala, Akhin felt that the state loves sports in general, “The special thing about Kerala is the culture of sports is developed from the time we are in school and that is why we see so many players from Kerala coming through in Volleyball,” added Akhin.
An ardent fan of MS Dhoni, Akhin is optimistic about the impact of the league with much-needed boost of professionalism. “I have experienced the same myself after joining Chennai Spartans and things will only improve as the league gets underway. I feel it will enable us all to develop the level of commitment and dedication for the team,” said Akhin.
Talking about his team’s composition Akhin felt it just has the right balance. “I feel we have a good blend of both experience and upcoming talent and we have two great foreign players in Ruslan Sorokins from Latvia and Rudy Verhoeff from Canada, both of them are Olympians and will be key to our progress in the tournament.”
The inaugural edition of the league will see six franchises vying for the title.