Lausanne, Switzerland, March 27, 2017 – Iran will be out to retain their crown and claim one of the four slots on offer for the FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship when the SMM 11th Asian Boys’ U19 Volleyball Championship takes place from March 28 to April 5.
Myanmar will place host to the tournament at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw and Iran will be chasing an eighth title. The U19 World Championship takes place in Bahrain from August 17-27.
Eleven teams will vie for the top honour in a tournament that pits the defending champions Iran against Korea and Bangladesh. The hosts have been paired with Australia and Hong Kong, while Pool C is made up of Thailand, Sri Lanka and Japan.
China and Chinese Taipei are the only teams in Pool D following Kazakhstan’s late withdrawal and as such are both guaranteed a place in the quarterfinals.
Myanmar and Hong Kong start the tournament on Tuesday and whichever four teams reach the semifinals will join host nation Bahrain and the other 15 qualified teams for the U19 World Championship which will be played in Isa Town and Riffa.
Nay Pyi Taw is no stranger to hosting AVC tournaments. In the past three years Myanmar’s new capital has hosted the Asian Men’s U23 Championship in 2015 and the Asian Men’s Club Championship in 2016.