The Indian Volleyball League is like a blast of fresh air.

Even though it took years for the Volleyball Federation of India to start a professional league, the prevailing feeling among the players is “better late than never.”

There was a fear that the IVL would be an old wine in a new battle. But such misgivings have been dispelled after the successful completion of the first leg in Bengaluru. There is no doubt that the league can become a vibrant brand if promoted with zeal and competence.

The success of the IVL is imperative if the game has to capture the imagination of youngsters. Otherwise, volleyball will remain a recreational sport in India.

The inaugural edition of the IVL hasn’t been without problems but the knife should remain in the sheath during the honeymoon period. The VFI should plan better and function more professionally from the second year.

Auction please

The VFI distributed the players for the first edition. Auction is a must next year. Owners need the freedom to choose their squads. There is no point in keeping the control unit at the VFI office. The federation can fix the total amount (say Rs 25 lakhs) for each team to bid for a 12-member squad to prevent some oligarch outwitting others by splurging the cash. Teams should also have the autonomy to select their coach.

Money matters

The major beneficiaries of auction will be players. The signing-on fee this year is deplorable. Players in premium category are guaranteed a paltry sum of Rs 20,000 and it is Rs 10,000 for the second level. The amounts mentioned are for playing 20 matches! A former player said one can earn nearly three times by playing in one-day tournaments conduced in many parts of Karnataka and Kerala.

If the VFI cedes the right of distributing players, it is a given that title-seeking owners will ramp up the minimum contract amount. Without a dramatic raise in the assured sum, the IVL will loose its sheen. What is the point in conducting a professional league if a player doesn’t get at least Rs 1 lakh? If owners haven’t announced huge incentives for winning the title this year, the IVL would have flopped in its infancy.

More teams

The six-team IVL is primarily a south Indian tournament now. Addition of teams from Punjab, Haryana and UP will give the event a pan-Indian appeal. The number of teams can be pegged at eight. Allowing two foreign players per team will also be a good move.

Sensible scheduling

The scheduling in the inaugural IVL is inhuman. It’s cruel to expect the players to turn out for 20 matches at four venues in 27 days. In an all-action sport like volleyball, adequate rest is a must for every participant to give his 100 per cent.

The onus is on VFI

The VFI has done little for the first edition; they just have the supervisory role. They failed to get a title sponsorship and a central TV deal. Some matches are telecast on DD Sports thanks to the efforts of the organisers of each leg, but there is guarantee on live content. It is the duty of the federation to find a lucrative title sponsorship like the BCCI had done for the IPL.

The VFI must also realise that there is no future for any sport in any country without live TV coverage. Amateurish marketing will take the game nowhere.