Things are moving forward in French professional volleyball. Yves Bouget, the president of the National League (LNV), assured Wednesday, July 6, during a press briefing by video conference that the project to integrate the Chinese men’s national team into the French championship – the A League – over the next two seasons was “well advanced.” It aims to help China prepare for the Paris 2024 Games. But after three months of work and discussions, there would still be legal and material issues to settle before the green light from the Ministry of Sports. Still according to Yves Bouget, the file could be closed by the end of next week. It will include a financial participation from China, but the amount will remain confidential. The sum of 1.3 million euros per season has been put forward, but Yves Bouget refutes it. Among the questions to be settled is that of the city where the Chinese team will settle. There is no shortage of interested communities, especially with the prospect of broadcasting some of the national team’s games in the A League live on CCTV in China. Note: China will not be able to win the title of French champion, but its games will count for the ranking and it will be allowed to play the play-offs. Finally, it is planned that a French coach will be integrated into the national team’s coaching staff.
