AG: No medals, yet a 'passing grade' with ranking jump from 40th to 28th and World Cup qualification! Cha Sang-hyun’s tenure as women’s volleyball head coach extended 'through 2028'

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The Korea Volleyball Federation has reaffirmed its confidence in Cha Sang-hyun, 52, as head coach of the women’s national volleyball team. Accordingly, Coach Cha will lead the national team through 2028.

Following a recent evaluation by the Performance Improvement Committee, the federation confirmed at its board meeting on the 13th the reappointment of current coaching staff, including Coach Cha and assistant coach Lee Suk-ja. Coach Cha, who had signed a conditional '1+2 year' contract with the federation in January this year, successfully secured a contract extension after his team’s results and performance in international tournaments this year were recognized.

Under Coach Cha’s leadership this year, the Lee Kkeu-neun (CEO) team recorded a victory at the June Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup, an eighth-place finish at the August Asian Championship, and fourth place at the September Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Although the team failed to win a medal at the Asian Games, it received high praise for recovering its world ranking from 40th to 28th and securing a qualification spot for the 2027 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World Cup. The fact that it was only his first year in the role, warranting time to observe further progress, also played a part in the decision.

The national team is now focusing on next August’s FIVB World Cup (co-hosted by the United States and Canada), which will determine qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics. Coach Cha stated, "Realistically, advancing to the Olympics will not be easy, but we will do our best," adding, "After the V-League concludes in April next year, we will call up the national team and begin full-scale preparations."

Meanwhile, the federation has also begun the process of appointing a new head coach for the vacant men’s national team position. Coach Isanaye Ramirez, who led the Nam Ja (CEO) team, saw her contract expire following the Asian Games and has since taken up the role of head coach for pro volleyball club KB Insurance. The federation plans to complete the appointment of a new coach by February next year at the latest, after going through public notice and evaluation procedures. The Nam Ja (CEO) team also secured a spot in next year’s FIVB World Cup after finishing third at this year’s Asian Championship.

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

*This content was translated by AI.View Original