Taiwan pro-volleyball league invites Japanese teams to inaugural preseason

Taipei, Aug. 1 (CNA) The newly established Taiwan Professional Volleyball League (TPVL) on Friday announced that it has invited two Japanese teams to participate in preseason warmup games to initiate the inaugural season of the men's pro-league.

The league, which was officially established in January this year, held a news conference on Friday to announce the invitation of Japan's Tokyo Great Bears and Voreas Hokkaido men's volleyball clubs.

While the Bears are a part of Japan's top-tier SV.League, the Voreas play in the V.League Division 2.

According to the TPVL, both the Bears and the Voreas will join Taiwan's four professional men's volleyball teams in warmup matches at the University of Taipei Tianmu Gymnasium between Sept. 19 and 21.

The Japanese teams will be joined by Taipei East Power, Taoyuan Leopards, Taichung Winstreak and TSG SkyHawks.

The Taipei East Power announced at the news conference that the team has established a partnership agreement with the Bears.

The team said it would be engaging in various exchanges with the Tokyo team, such as technical lessons between coaches and athletes, as well as management experiences.

Speaking with local press, the captain of Taipei East Power, Kao Wei-cheng (高偉誠), expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing against a team from Japan's competitive SV.League.