PANAJI
The Goa Guardians officially set the wheels in motion for their Prime Volleyball League Season 5 with an evening gathering in Panjim. The event brought together the PVL fraternity, Indian volleyball figures and key members of Goa’s government, business and local community, ahead of a new season that has been scheduled to begin on 30 November 2026.
The evening was attended by Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics & Communications and Printing & Stationary, and Rohit Monserrate, Mayor of the Corporation of the City of Panaji, alongside PVL CEO Joy Bhattacharjya, representatives and owners from all 10 Prime Volleyball League franchises and other dignitaries.
Goa Guardians was represented by Director and Owner Raju Chekuri, members of the franchise leadership, players and representatives from Netenrich Inc. Also present were members of the Indian volleyball fraternity, including former India international Abhijit Bhattacharya and Goa Guardians players Prince Malik and Aravindhan.
The evening also provided the perfect setting for the first unveiling of the Goa Guardians home jersey for PVL Season 5.
For Goa Guardians, the gathering was an opportunity to bring the wider Prime Volleyball League ecosystem to Goa at an important time for the sport in the state. Speaking at the occasion, Raju Chekuri, Director and Owner of Goa Guardians, said, “Our intent has always been to invest quietly, build for the long term and contribute meaningfully to the growth of volleyball in India. The larger vision is ambitious - to see India compete at the Olympics in volleyball within the next two or three cycles. It may sound far-fetched today, but I genuinely believe it is achievable. If everyone in the ecosystem comes together, puts the right structures in place and channels the right energy towards the sport, there is no reason why we cannot get there.”
The franchise has already begun expanding its work beyond the senior PVL team through investments and initiatives around volleyball infrastructure, grassroots development and youth competition in Goa. This includes its partnership with Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim, where the indoor facility was recently refurbished with a new wooden basketball and volleyball court, as well as the launch of the Guardians Trophy U21 Volleyball Tournament, which brought together youth teams from across the Prime Volleyball League ecosystem.
