PVL a step forward in India’s aim of qualifying for Olympics, says US volleyball star David Lee

America’s Volleyball player David Lee believes the inaugural season of the Prime Volleyball League will be a step forward in India’s aim to qualify for the Olympics. Lee, who is himself a three-time Olympian, reckons the league will help the Indian players in taking giant strides at the International level.

Volleyball is not the most popular sport in the country but Lee feels Prime Volleyball League can help India in taking steps in the right direction. Lee, who won a Gold medal for Team USA in 2008 in Beijing, believes India can think of qualifying for the Olympics in the next eight to 10 years if they continue to improve.

Lee is representing Calicut Heroes in the ongoing PVL 2022.

Lee said as quoted by the official PVL website, “Realistically it will take six to 10 years for India to qualify for the Olympics. India has a good chance to qualify from the Asian side. You are competing with Iran, China, Japan and Australia. Those are the teams that you have to beat. But it will take some time and needs some changes in the culture,” Lee told News9 Sports over the phone. India is currently ranked World No. 64, positioned at the 10th place in Asia. They have never qualified for the Olympics but have reached the World Championship twice. Only top three countries from Asia qualify for the quadrennial Games.

“India is just getting started. In athleticism and talent, they are alongside Iran, China and Japan, but what is lacking is infrastructure. The PVL will bring a more professional atmosphere as more international players will be playing in the league. “Indians can compete with some of the top countries. But they lack consistency and video analysis of their mistakes. I improved by watching my deficiencies. I think that is something which can alter the game and improve the level.

Shedding light on the expectations on the league, the American said, “There will be some differences with regards to offense. The Asian teams tend to go into offence around the middle of the court. In international games, offences tend to occur wider of the court. That is the primary difference. Besides that, the players here are very talented and skillful. It’s not going to be easy for the foreigners to compete with the Indians.”

Calicut Heroes have lost both their opening matches and they will next face Bengaluru Torpedoes on Monday at Gochibowli Stadium, Hyderabad.