India submits entries for Central Asian volleyball event

ISLAMABAD: India is planning to carry a strong 30-member squad for the Central Asian Volleyball Championship (League) with four other countries having so far confirmed their participation in the international event to be held from May 28 to June 4 here at the Liaquat Gymnasium.

India has submitted by-name entries with the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF), according to which the squad will consist of 22 players and eight support staff members. Ch Mohammad Yaqoob, Chairman of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF), told ‘The News’ that the Indian federation has been advised to apply for Pakistan visas as soon as possible.

“We have also submitted the Indian contingent names with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, requesting the concerned authorities to provide the visiting contingent with the required visa facilities for the Central Asian Volleyball.”

India has been struggling to keep up the pace with the rapidly improving Pakistan team that has attained No. 5 ranking in Asia and is even capable of beating teams like Korea, China, and Iran, which the Greenshirts have proved in recent times.

India was the first team to confirm its participation in the event to be hosted by Pakistan. Last year, India did not confirm their participation, but this time, they have sent their entry in writing, submitting 30 names and have also requested the PVF to arrange for their Pakistan visas in time. We have assured them of full cooperation,” Ch Yaqoob said.

Other Central Asian countries which have confirmed their participation in the Central Asian meet include Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Sri Lanka is expected to confirm its entry shortly. One of the most active sports federations, the PVF has chalked up a busy schedule for the coming season that will also see the Russian national volleyball team visiting Pakistan for the very first time.

The Russian team will play a series of matches against Pakistan from June 23 to 30 at Liaquat Gymnasium. Russia has been rated as one of the best teams in the world. “Pakistan team’s exposure against Russia will help in the team’s training for important international events to come. These international engagements will help in solidifying Pakistan’s reputation as a key player in global volleyball,” the PVF chairman said.

The unprecedented volleyball activities have already started with the 64th National Senior Men’s Championship held at the POF Wah, which was won by the powerful Wapda team. “With Pakistan’s continuous rise in international volleyball and a dynamic lineup of events scheduled for 2025, the PVF remains dedicated to nurturing talent and expanding the sport’s influence across the nation,” Yaqoob said. In 2024, PVF successfully hosted the Central Asian Volleyball League, a major international tournament featuring six teams. The event, held in Islamabad, attracted an impressive 8,000 to 10,000 spectators, demonstrating the sport’s growing popularity in Pakistan.