'Why did I play volleyball?' The question raised at age 8 was completely resolved by making history as the first in V-League! "The best decision of my life," says the 195cm Sri Lankan, the first player from his country.

*This content was translated by AI.

"I started playing volleyball at age 8 and until a few years ago, I had doubts. But now that I have made it to the professional stage, I believe it was the best decision of my life."

The eight-year-old boy who first picked up a volleyball in Sri Lanka is paving the way for history in the V-League. The protagonist is Tarusha Chamis (24), registered as "Tarusha," the new Asia quota outside hitter for KB Insurance.

Speaking to reporters at KB Insurance's training camp in Sakai, Japan, on the 13th, Tarusha said, "I first encountered Korean volleyball while playing in the UAE league and was impressed by the high level of the competition." He added, "I believe the experience in the V-League will be a great opportunity for further growth."

KB Insurance signed Tarusha as an Asia quota player for the 2026–2027 season. This marks the first time a Sri Lankan national has joined the Korean stage since the V-League introduced the Asia quota system in the 2023–2024 season. Previously, players from Japan, China, Taiwan, Mongolia, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Thailand had come to the V-League. Now, the reach has expanded to include Sri Lanka as well.

Tarusha is an outside hitter standing 195cm tall with exceptional jumping ability. He plays as a starting attacker for the Sri Lankan national team and led his team to third place at the Central Asia Volleyball Association (CAVA) Champions Cup held in Pakistan last July, earning the Best Wing Spiker award.

However, the environment in which he grew up was not easy for a volleyball player. Although volleyball is designated as the national sport of Sri Lanka, it lags far behind cricket in public popularity. Player recognition and treatment are also far from ideal. Influenced by his father, a former volleyball player, Tarusha picked up the ball at age 8 but once questioned his own choice. However, after moving through the Middle East and entering the Korean professional stage, those doubts have been completely resolved.

He said, "Volleyball is not a popular sport in Sri Lanka, and players are not treated very well." He added with a smile, "I started playing volleyball at age 8 and until a few years ago I had doubts, but now that I've made it to the professional stage, I believe it was the best decision of my life."

That choice ultimately led Tarusha beyond Sri Lanka. After competing in the Middle East, he has now entered the V-League. Having confirmed his move to Korea, he also expressed a goal to promote Sri Lankan volleyball beyond personal success.

Upon arrival, Tarusha stated, "I am very happy and excited to become part of KB Stars, a V-League club. Playing in the V-League, which I have always been interested in, is a significant personal challenge for me, but at the same time, it is a precious opportunity to promote Sri Lankan volleyball. My goal is to bring joy and pride to the Sri Lankan community in Korea with strong performances."

He also showed potential in his first actual match. In a practice game against Sakai Blazers of the Japanese professional league, Tarusha delivered powerful serves and high-point attacks. He was also praised for showing stable receiving skills, which are crucial for outside hitters. He is quickly adapting to the new environment. Tarusha said, "The players have been very kind, making me feel comfortable. Even when explanations about volleyball were needed, they provided clear direction, so I could understand things quickly."

The training camp in Japan was also a new experience for Tarusha. He said, "Throughout my playing career, this is the first time I have trained abroad before the season starts," adding, "I am having a great experience training with high-level players."

He also encountered something new upon arriving in Korea: systematic weight training. Tarusha remarked, "I can feel an improvement in my jumping ability compared to before, and I feel lighter physically. If I continue training more systematically, I believe there will be even better results."

Tarusha's growth is also important for KB Insurance. Ahead of the new season, the team parted ways with Andres Viana (33), who had been responsible for attacks over the past four seasons, and outside hitter Lim Sung-jin (27) has joined the military. Meanwhile, Hwang Kyung-min (30) has returned from military service, while Na Gyeong-bok (32), Hong Sang-hyeok (28), and Yoon Seo-jin (21) are competing for starting positions. With Tarusha joining the mix, options for outside hitters have become more diverse.

Acting head coach Ha Hyun-yong (44) evaluated that despite Lim Sung-jin's departure, the overall strength of the outside hitter group has actually improved when considering Hwang Kyung-min's return, the resurgence of existing players, and Tarusha's addition.

Tarusha aims to become more than just a symbol of being the first in V-League history. This is his first time living in Korea, participating in pre-season overseas training, and even experiencing weight training. Yet, all these unfamiliar experiences are becoming stepping stones for his growth. Tarusha said, "I am facing new challenges and will strive to be a player who gives his best every moment," adding, "Just as our team is enthusiastically supported by fans, I will work hard to bring good results."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.