Maldives' National Women's Volleyball team played in last year's final of the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Cup but lost a five set match after a comeback.

This year, the team is competing in the cup yet again with renewed strength. The CAVA Cup started yesterday, with this being another opportunity for Maldives to win the gold medal. National team coach Mohamed Nadheem said that the Maldives Women's team only wants gold this year.

In the history of Maldivian sports, a Maldivian team has not won an international team event for the gold medal on home soil. That opportunity is now in the hands of the Women's Volleyball team. The players have a strong aim to achieve this historic win.

"The team has come quite close to winning the gold medal in the past, with them only wanting gold now. The players are strong in spirit, this being quite evident," said Nadheem to Mihaaru News before the cup began.

Maldives won their match against Bangladesh last night and have started strong.

The match saw Maldives win in three straight sets, with the scores being 25-18, 25-12 and 25-16.

Today, Maldives will be playing against Afghanistan at 8:40 pm.

Kyrgyzstan beat Afghanistan yesterday evening in three straight sets, with Afghanistan having played quite well in the second set. The scores were 25-15, 36-24 and 25-11.

Today's first match will see Kyrgyzstan play against Bangladesh.