The Iron Ladies, Hatyai Volleyball Club (HVC) from Thailand, with team manager Natta (fifth from left).
SIBU: Some may look sissy and soft but given a little space, they go the gamut with the killer smash — meet the Hatyai Volleyball Club (HVC), an all men’s team who ironically bill themselves as the ‘Iron Lady’ from Hatyai, Thailand.
Their ages range between 21 to 34 years-old and most are professional players in their own right. They comprise civil servants, businessmen and students.
When the colourful Thais are on court, some routinely wear make-up and even mimic the effeminate twist and turns of women, hence earning the name ‘Iron Lady’.
But be mindful that it takes skilful spikers to clown around like the legendary Harlem Globetrotters of USA (basketball). And still win, usually with thumping 3-0 margins.
Team manager Natta Kitisathorn said playing with cosmetics is their trade mark but the crucial factor at the end of the day is… results.
And true to form, HVC, which was formed four years ago, has collected a total of 17 championship titles in the local volleyball league championship.
On top of that, HVC was also ranked the top three teams in Hatyai Volleyball League and the team virtually ruled southern Thailand in the past few years.
“It was a good track record of sorts as far as HVC is concerned. Our players have been working hard to build a reputation for ourselves. We never underestimate our opponents in any championship and that is why we regard all competitions as of equal importance,” he said when interviewed.
Natta said some of the players have also played in professional volleyball leagues in countries like Germany, Sweden, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia. He concurred there was no short-cut to success, pointing out that his players had pumped in tireless efforts to train five times per week to polish their spiking skills and killer smashes.
“The success story for HVC is not an overnight affair. It involved lots of tough and rigid training and also encompassed lots of aggressive efforts from the players who are willing to play their roles with total commitment.”
HVC, at the invitation of Sibu Volleyball Association (SVA), took part in the Sibu Prudential International Invitation Volleyball Championship held here last weekend.
The tournament was held to mark the official opening of the RM10 million Sibu Volleyball Indoor Stadium which will be the venue for the upcoming Sukma volleyball competition.
During the tournament, the Iron Ladies easily beat all its three opponents, Sukma Sarawak, Johore UTM and Sarawak Seniors 3-0 each to lift the title and also the RM10,000 prize money at stake.
The team also put on comical combinations of passing skills and killer smashes that put the audience in stitches, reminescent of the antics of the Globetrotters. This was also the second time HVC was invited to come to Sibu. In 2014, they played and won a friendly match here. Natta described the trip as very meaningful and he hoped to be back again when given the chance.
‘Yes, I, we, would very much like to come back. The people here are not only friendly but very hospitable and we feel very welcomed with our three-day stay here.”
Asked how he felt about the tourney, Natta said it was an unexpectedly easy route to victory, in a verdict of sorts for the Sarawak Sukma men who seem to lack the tenacity of killer blows.
The (Sibu) Sukma team, losing 3-0 to Hatyai VC, ended third in the eight-team field. Another home team, Sarawak Senior, were dumped 3-0. “We were actually expecting the Sukma-bound players to give us a run for our money but the anticipated duel never materialised. Nevertheless, we still had to work hard to win the (Prudential)) title.”