The court at JRD Tata Sports Complex, where the volleyball tourney will be held, on Wednesday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Former sportspersons of the steel city are gearing up to hit smashes at a volleyball tournament organised by Jamshedpur Veterans’ Sports Club at JRD Tata Sports Complex on February 23.

The veterans’ sports outfit has already started accepting entries for the volleyball meet.

“Depending upon the entries, we will form four to six teams comprising 10 players each. Matches will be played in three sets,” said senior JVSC functionary and former Bihar Ranji skipper Avinash Kumar, adding that former sportspersons from any discipline could take part in the tourney.

Kumar further said they had already received 10 entries and were expecting more.

“The veterans have also been requested to contribute Rs 200 each before February 17. The contributions will help us conduct the event better. T-shirts will be provided to all participating spikers,” said Kumar, now a manager (events) at Tata Steel sports department.

Surender Singh, a former spiker who has donned state jersey in undivided Bihar, said he was looking forward to the tournament.

“I have remained cut-off from volleyball after my retirement from the game in the 90s. It’s an opportunity for me to display my smashes once again,” the 55-year-old said.

Those interested can contact Avinash Kumar (08092088356), R.K. Mishra (09431756467), P. Vijay Kumar (09431380579), J. Behera (09031352082) or Hareram (09204275489) by February 17.

Notably, Jamshedpur Veterans’ Sports Club keeps organising tourneys in various disciplines for former sportspersons.

The outfit also felicitates notable ex-players.

“Jamshedpureans are known to be passionate about sports and several ex-sportspersons reside here. Most of them miss the action of their heydays. Such events foster interaction among them and motivate them,” said Kumar.

Besides providing a platform for interaction, the events also help veteran players maintain their fitness levels.

“To sum it up, the motive behind these events is to keep former sportspersons in high spirits,” said a functionary of the outfit.