Goa Guardians Set the Stage for Prime Volleyball League (PVL) Season 5

KL Rahul-signed volleyball unveiled as Rohan Khaunte, Rohit Monserrate, Joy Bhattacharjya, representatives of all 10 PVL franchises and members of Goa’s sporting and business community come together ahead of the new season

Panjim, Goa | September 2026: 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. As part of the celebrations/proceedings, the franchise also unveiled its new home jersey for the campaign.

The evening was attended by Shri. Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics & Communications and Printing & Stationary, Government of Goa, and Shri. 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 members of some of Goa’s renowned families and business community.

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, adding to an evening that brought different generations of the sport together under one roof.

The presence of Minister Shri. Rohan Khaunte opened conversations around the role sport can play in Goa beyond competition – particularly through sporting events, youth participation and sport-led tourism. “Goa has evolved beyond being just a sun, sand and sea destination, and sport is becoming an important part of that journey. Bringing the Prime Volleyball League ecosystem to Goa creates opportunities not only for sport and sports tourism, but also for Indian volleyball to grow. Ultimately, whichever team wins, the larger goal should be for India to win and for us to see Indian volleyball competing on the Olympic stage,” the Minister stated.

One of the notable moments of the evening was the presentation of a volleyball signed by Goa Guardians co-owner and Indian cricket star KL Rahul whose association with the franchise has helped bring Goa Guardians and volleyball to audiences beyond the traditional boundaries of the sport. Additionally, the signed ball served as a symbolic connection between the team’s national ambitions and its roots in Goa.

The evening also provided the perfect setting for the first unveiling of the Goa Guardians home jersey for PVL Season 5. Inspired by Goa’s coastal identity, the jersey incorporates wave-like patterns and fluid design elements, reflecting the movement and energy associated with both the state and the sport. The unveiling also introduced Boldfit as Goa Guardians’ official apparel partner for the upcoming season.

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.

Joy Bhattacharjya, CEO, Prime Volleyball League also shared, “The Guardians Trophy is important because it creates a genuine pathway for young players – if you are good enough, you get seen, you get an opportunity, and merit decides what happens next. The talent on display is unbelievable, and if we continue to allow that meritocracy to flourish, Indian volleyball has the ability to compete with the best in the world in the next five to seven years.”

For the franchise, the Panjim gala served less as a conclusion to the off-season and more as the starting point for Season 5. With the home jersey now unveiled and preparations gathering pace, attention turns towards the construction of the Goa Guardians squad and the road to Prime Volleyball League Season 5. For the Goa Guardians, the message from Panjim was simple: the new season has begun long before the first serve.