BOJ to defend volleyball title

Old rivalries, new blood, and a bunch of new surprises are among the factors promising an exciting 2011 staging of the Reggae Jammin Business House Volleyball Indoor League which gets under way today at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Gymnasium at 9 a.m.

The competition's first ever and current defending champions, Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), are riding high after coming out on top in the three preliminary rallies, but this year, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) team has pulled every string possible to return to the league after a one-year absence. JDF took top male and mixed titles in 2008 and 2009 before withdrawing due to operational constraints.

Also rejoining the line-up for 2011 are past champions (2006 and 2007) Jamaica Urban Transit Company. The transit company's contingent has returned with a mix of old and new players who showed good cohesiveness and grit in the May 29 rally.

The UWI team, which posed a strong challenge in the preliminary rallies, is also gunning for top honours, but with the determination shown by stalwarts National Water Commission, AMECO, and Guardian Life, the field appears to be wide open. Newcomers this year include the Inland Revenue Department, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, PanCaribbean Bank, and Radio Jamaica.