Kochi Blue Spikers made a decent coup in the auction and player draft for the inaugural, roping in India’s ace spiker S. Prabagaran and Olympic medal winning blocker David Lee.
The Blue Spikers splashed Rs 12 lakh, the second biggest auction prize, on Prabagaran, who had won the most spike points for India at the 2018 Asian Games. Two of Kerala’s best players – Akhin and Jerome Vinith – listed among the six icon members in the auction, were secured by Chennai Spartans (10 lakhs) and Calicut Heroes (8 lakh) respectively.
The Blue Spikers also secured the services of India captain and arguably the best setter in the country, Mohan Ukkrapandian for Rs 6.75 lakhs besides bringing in Kerala-based Universal Manu Joseph (Rs 4.2 lakh) and blocker Rohit P. (Rs 3 lakh).
Besides veteran US blocker David Lee the other foreign draft picks were Carson Clark (Black Hawks Hyderabad), Paul Lotman (Calicut Heroes), Rudy Verhoeff (Chennai Spartans), Tomislav Coskovic (U Mumba) and Novica Bjelica (Ahmedabad Defenders).
Veteran Kerala setter Kapil Dev will team up with Akhin at Chennai after he was bagged for Rs. 2.6 lakhs. Universal Gurinder Singh (5 lakh) and attacker Vibin George (4.8 lakh) will play for the Defenders and Spartans respectively.
Ahmedabad Defenders made Ranjit Singh the costliest, for 13 lakhs. The attacker said he was surprised to top the list. “I am excited to see what's building up here. For all of us, this is a new chapter and hope we can live up to the expectations and faith shown in us by the team owners, federation and organizers here,” Ranjit said.
Black Hawks Hyderabad got Round 1 first pick and they chose Carson Clark. Paul Lotman was the second pick joining Calicut Heroes. The third pick of the foreign draft was Rudy Verhoeff joining Chennai Spartans. Tomislav Coskovic, David Lee and Novica Bjelica were picked 4th, 5th & 6th by U Mumba Volley, Kochi Blue Spikers and Ahmedabad Defenders respectively.
Lee said: “I am thrilled to join Kochi and looking forward to forming a formidable outfit alongside other players in the team. The league will do a world of good not only to the players but also the sport and its fans. Can't wait to get to India and get in the thick of action.”
The League is scheduled to begin in February.
