All India women's volleyball tourney in Goa from Feb 1

Panaji, Jan 27 (UNI) Top teams like national champions Indian Railways, runners-up Kerala State Electricity Board, Maharashtra, Karnataka and hosts Goa will vie for top honours in the three-day Prasanna Ghotage All India Women's Invitation Volleyball Championship at Ponda in South Goa from February 1.

Goa Volleyball Promoters chairman Vinay Tendulkar and its secretary G H Jayawant informed this at a joint press conference here today, adding the event is aimed at promoting volleyball in Goa.

Mr Jayawant said the championship will be played on a league basis and the team topping the table will be declared winners. The winner will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 9,000, while the second-placed team will receive Rs 6000. The team, coming third, will receive Rs 3000.

On the opening day, two matches will be played -- one between Karnataka and Kerala and the other between hosts Goa and Maharashtra.

International and national women players will be seen in action. The Indian Railways team itself comprises eight international players -- Vaishali Padathare (Capt), Jiddy Clay, Priyanka Bora, Yogitha Kelkar, Ninny Francis, Hemalatha Vorsval, Priyanka Kelkar, and Shirin. The Kerala team consists of six international players -- Sheeba P V (Capt), Aswani S Kumar, Shibi K G, Tiji Raju, Minimol Abraham and Vincy George (Libero).

UNI