City set to host VX-2 World C’ship

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 16 

Chandigarh will host its maiden VX-2 (Rock-It-Ball) World Championship at the Sector 43 Sports Complex from Friday. The tournament will be held in the youth (U-14), senior (above 18) and masters (40+) categories.   

According to the organisers, teams from England, Hong Kong, Uganda, Nepal, UAE and hosts India will participate in the championship.

“This will be for the first time that the city will host the World Championships of a British-origin sport. We are looking forward to make this sport popular here,” said the organisers. 

VX-2 is a sport played in Britain since 2006. “We have been organising VX championships for the past few years at the local level. It’s difficult to get support for a new sport, however, we are trying to get some attention from this championship,” the organisers added. 

The Indian team has been preparing for the championship at the Panjab University indoor hall and the Sector 43 Sports Complex.

According to coach Davinder Kohli, who will also represent India in the veterans’ category, a total of 30 players had been selected for the preparatory camp. “As many as 17 players will be selected to represent the nation in this World Championship. The Indian team had performed well in the V3 World Championships last year. The VX-2 event is no different, and I hope, our team lead by Sahil do well,” said Kohli.

The V2 event is the most powerful version of the sport and is played by two players on a squash court with three balls. The duration of match is eight minutes with a one-minute break.

The main equipment required is VstiX (long racquets with nets on both ends) which is used to throw the ball towards the opponent.