Both the men’s and women’s national volleyball teams are to head to Serbia for training, next week.

Volleyball Association of Maldives (VAM) Interim Committee member, Mohamed Sajidh announced this on Saturday, during the inaugural event of the international-standard beach volleyball court in Hulhumalé.

Sajidh thanked President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof “for the opportunity.”

RaajjeMV understands that both teams will depart to the European nation on February 25.

This training session is ahead of the AVC Central Zone Championships scheduled for March and April.

While the men’s division is to be held in Bangladesh from 22-27 March, the women’s division is to be held in the Maldives from 10-20 April. The sports ministry had intended to have the event in Laamu atoll, but Minister Ahmed Mahloof has since said that this is unlikely.

The AVC Women’s Central Zone Championship is to be held in Maldives, following the team’s second place win at last year’s tournament, this will the second women’s international competition to be held in the Maldives; the first being the AVC qualification tournament for the 2018 World Women’s Volleyball Championship in 2017.

Celebrated Serbian coach Milorad Kijac, who was initially appointed to the men’s team, is now training both teams.

While this is the women’s team’s first training trip to Serbia, the men’s team traveled there last July.

The Serbian Volleyball Federation announced decision to assist in the development of the sport in the Maldives, during the sports minister visit to the country last year.