The men's volleyball team from Hong Kong trains at the Deqing Sports Centre Gymnasium on Sept 18. [Photo/hz66.com] 

The Deqing Sports Centre Gymnasium kicked off the first day of training for the volleyball event of the 19th Asian Games on Sept 18.

In the morning, the men's volleyball team from Hong Kong made their way to the venue. Upon arrival, the players wasted no time throwing themselves into intense training sessions. They focused on perfecting their serving, blocking, spiking, and other techniques.

Xiao Changhong, the team captain and a three-time Asian Games competitor, expressed his satisfaction with the facilities and equipment at the Deqing Sports Centre Gymnasium. "The courts and lighting here are built to a very high standard, making it very comfortable for us to play in," he remarked.

He also revealed that the team had been preparing for the Asian Games for over four months. The players are determined to give it their all in the upcoming matches.

Throughout the day, a total of seven men's volleyball teams from various countries and regions, including Thailand, Qatar, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and Afghanistan, arrived in Deqing for their pre-match training. The much-anticipated opening match at the Deqing Sports Centre Gymnasium is scheduled between the Japanese and Afghan teams on the afternoon of Sept 19.