Women's Nations League volleyball: players praise Kai Tak Arena but will miss Coliseum
Players at the FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Arena have praised the new venue, saying the bigger and better facilities allowed for the best possible preparation, but they also said the memories forged at the event's former home would not be easily forgotten.
The Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong 2025 presented by China Life kicked off on Wednesday at Kai Tak Arena, marking the first time it has not been held in the Coliseum since it came to the city in 2018.
On Thursday, Paris Olympic champions Italy beat Thailand 3-0 to reclaim their position at the top of the league, before China emerged victorious with a 3-2 win over Bulgaria.
'Both venues are beautiful,' said Italy's outside hitter Alice Degradi. 'But I have very beautiful memories from the Coliseum, because we were losing 2-1 against China [in 2023], and when we beat them, we qualified for the finals.
'I have that place in my heart, we have good memories there, but we want to create new ones here.'
Thailand's Ajcharaporn Kongyot (left) said Kai Tak was a more comfortable venue. Photo: Panda/Takumi Images.
However, Degradi said that in terms of the facilities on offer to the elite players, Kai Tak was the clear winner, a view echoed by her Thai counterpart, Ajcharaporn Kongyot.
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