Kazakhstan’s Zhaiyk starts strong by defeating Lanka champions

Zhaiyk VC vs Sri Lanka Ports Authority in the CAVA Men’s Champions League on July 17, 2025. (Sun Photo/Moosa Nadheem)

Kazakh champions Zhaiyk VC started off strong in the CAVA Men’s Champions League 2025 on Thursday, as they defeated Sri Lankan champions Ports Authority.

The CAVA Men’s Champions League – the biggest men’s club volleyball competition in central Asia – began in Male’ on Thursday afternoon.

Sri Lanka Ports Authority lost its opening game against Zhaiyk VC by 3-1 in the CAVA Men’s Champions League on July 17, 2025. (Sun Photo/Moosa Nadheem)

Zhaiyk won the tournament’s opening match in 3-1 sets. Ports Authority had won the first set by 25-22, but Zhaiyk came in from behind to dominate the rest of the game, winning the next three sets. The club won the second set by 25-14, the third set by 25-16, and the fourth set by 25-15.

Zhaiyk VC defeats Sri Lanka Ports Authority 3-1 in the CAVA Men’s Champions League on July 17, 2025. (Sun Photo/Moosa Nadheem)

The second match of the tournament at 04:30 pm will see Club HDC - the finalists of both the Maldives National Volleyball Competition and the Association Cup – go up against Bishkek – the champions of Kyrgyzstan.

The third match is at 09:45 pm and will see Maldives’ champions the Dhivehi Sifainge Club (DSC) go up against Nepalese champions Help Nepal SC.