Amit Gulia Makes History as First Indian to Sign for Korea’s V-League

Indian volleyball crossed a historic frontier this week as national team regular Amit Gulia officially signed with South Korean club KB Insurance Stars, becoming the first-ever Indian player to compete in the Korean V-League.

The move marks a watershed moment not just for Gulia’s career, but for Indian volleyball’s long and often underrepresented journey on the global professional stage.

Gulia joins the Uijeongbu-based KB Stars as a replacement for Bahrain international Mohammed Yaqoob, whose contract was terminated midway through the 2025–26 season following personal commitments that forced his return to the Middle East. While mid-season replacements are not uncommon in the V-League, the selection of an Indian player is unprecedented and deeply symbolic of India’s gradual re-entry into elite Asian volleyball ecosystems.

Standing at 195 cm with a spike reach touching 354 cm, Amit Gulia has long been viewed within Indian volleyball circles as one of the country’s most physically imposing and internationally ready attackers. His journey, however, has been far from straightforward.

Like many Indian volleyball players of his generation, Gulia spent his formative years juggling employment with elite sport, representing the national side while also working with the Income Tax Department. International exposure was sporadic, domestic infrastructure limited, and professional overseas pathways almost non-existent.

That landscape began to shift with the advent of the Prime Volleyball League (PVL) in 2022. The PVL not only professionalised domestic volleyball but also exposed Indian players to international coaches, systems, and match intensity. Gulia emerged as one of the league’s standout Indian attackers, earning lucrative contracts and, more importantly, visibility beyond India’s borders.

His subsequent stint in the Iranian Super League Asia’s most physically demanding club competition proved decisive. Facing world-class blockers and playing a high-volume attacking role week after week, Gulia developed the tactical maturity and resilience that Korean clubs now demand from Asian quota players.

The Hangzhou turning point

If one match changed perceptions in Korea, it was India’s dramatic 3–2 victory over South Korea at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Gulia finished as the match’s top scorer with 24 points, repeatedly breaking through the Korean block and holding his nerve in the closing stages. For Korean scouts, it was not just the numbers but the context that mattered: an Indian outside hitter dominating against a system known for its defensive discipline and service pressure. That performance stayed on file and resurfaced when KB Stars found themselves urgently seeking a reliable replacement for Yaqoob.

Mohammed Yaqoob had been a key contributor for KB Stars, scoring 194 points across 21 matches this season with an attack success rate exceeding 51 percent. His sudden exit left a void in both offense and serve reception, particularly at a stage where the Stars are locked in a tight playoff race.

With the V-League’s Asian quota system placing strict limits on salaries and roster flexibility, KB needed a player who could adapt quickly, offer stability in reception, and still finish points at a high level. Gulia’s profile an experienced international, battle-tested in Iran, and already proven against Korean opposition fit the requirement almost perfectly.

Historically, India’s presence in top-tier overseas volleyball leagues has been rare. The last comparable breakthrough dates back to the 1980s, when legendary attacker Jimmy George played professionally in Italy, inspiring a generation but leaving no immediate pipeline behind him. Gulia’s signing feels different. It arrives at a time when Indian volleyball is slowly rebuilding its ecosystem through leagues like the PVL, better athlete management, and increasing exposure to international competition. More importantly, it comes amid structural changes within the Korean V-League itself.

From the 2026–27 season, the league will transition from a tryout-based Asian quota system to a freer contract model, allowing clubs greater autonomy in signing and retaining Asian players. Strong performances now could significantly enhance a player’s long-term market value. For Gulia, the current contract is not just an opportunity it is an audition for a much bigger future.

Tactical and cultural adaptation ahead

The Korean V-League is among Asia’s most demanding in terms of defensive speed, service pressure, and tactical discipline. Outside hitters are expected to contribute heavily in both phases, often carrying a significant attacking load while maintaining passing consistency.

Gulia is expected to join the KB Stars squad by mid-February, with key fixtures looming against direct playoff rivals. His integration will be closely watched not only by Indian fans, but by Korean analysts curious to see whether Indian players can consistently meet V-League intensity. Beyond tactics, there is also cultural adaptation: language barriers, training rhythms, and a relentless match calendar that allows little recovery time. How quickly Gulia settles could define both his season and the perception of Indian athletes within Korean volleyball.

Amit Gulia’s move is not merely a personal milestone; it is a statement. It signals that Indian volleyball talent, long confined to regional competitions, is beginning to earn recognition in elite Asian leagues. If Gulia succeeds, he opens doors for himself under the new free-agency era, and for others back home dreaming of similar paths. Names like Guru Prasanth, Ashwal Rai, and other emerging Indian attackers are already on international radars. Korea may not be the final destination but it is a powerful start.

For now, Indian volleyball has a flag-bearer on one of Asia’s biggest club stages. And for the first time in decades, the global game is watching India not just as participants but as professionals ready to compete.