'A lion on the volleyball court! The Korea Volleyball Association (KVA) unveils Rookion, the official mascot of the Division League

*This content was translated by AI.

The official key visual, which will serve as the face and drive the popularity of the 2026 KVA V3 Division League, a tournament set to transform the paradigm of grassroots volleyball in the Republic of Korea, has been revealed.

On the 11th, the Korea Volleyball Association (KVA) announced a new catchphrase for the season, 'VOLLEYBALL DIVISION, VISION OF GROWTH,' coinciding with the official start of the 2026 KVA V3 Division League race.

The most prominent feature of the newly unveiled key visual is its focus on Rookion (ROOKION), the official lion mascot of the KVA. According to the KVA, the visual completely breaks away from the heavy and rigid image of traditional sports tournaments, instead warmly reflecting the identity of grassroots volleyball enjoyed by everyone from children to adult amateur players.

A diverse collection of storytelling action poses also draws attention. Rookion is depicted performing dynamic core volleyball actions, such as delivering powerful spikes on the court and executing diving digs. Additionally, various poses are detailed, including lifting the championship trophy, holding a microphone for an interview, and enthusiastically cheering.

The KVA explained, "The overall tone and manner of the visual adopts a deep, cool blue color as the main theme to reflect the characteristics of the Division League, which is held during the hot summer season. Bold typography in strong white and yellow tones is matched against a refreshing blue background to maximize visual intuitiveness and information delivery. The grid pattern resembling a net placed on the right side visually symbolizes the solid and systematic promotion-relegation system that underpins the Division League."

Equipped with such a stylish visual, the 2026 Division League is expected to elevate the nationwide passion for grassroots volleyball beyond mere competition. While last year's tournament saw participation from 12 regions and 432 teams, this year will feature the largest scale in history, with 504 teams competing across 6 divisions and 84 leagues in 14 major regions nationwide, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, Daejeon, Gwangju, Busan, Sejong, and Jeju.

In line with the slogan 'VOLLEYBALL DIVISION, VISION OF GROWTH,' amateur volleyball powerhouses from across the country are expected to engage in fierce battles, fighting for the honor of their regions and teams, while fostering a culture of solidarity and growth through volleyball.

Meanwhile, the 2026 Division League season began sequentially across the nation with the first serve in the Daejeon and Gwangju regions on May 30, continuing with intense competition. The newly established 3D visual assets of Rookion for this season will be comprehensively applied to content templates on the official Instagram and YouTube channels. Fans will be able to connect with the league through sensory digital archiving, including vivid highlights and short-form content every week.

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*This content was translated by AI.