PVF plans high-profile volleyball league

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) plans high profile league in the month of November to help game stand on sound footing and to cater the financial needs of top players. Ch Yaqoob, chairman PVF, who was accompanied by International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Director Asia Luis Alexander, unveiled activities plan for the year on Wednesday in Islamabad, saying that the federation has already lured sponsorship for the planned league to be held most probably in November this year.

“All the details would be shared with you by sponsors in due course. The good news, however, is that we are going to start the league in November. The league is expected to inject fresh interest and would also help top players get the much needed financial support,” claimed Ch Yaqoob. FIVB representative to Asia who hails from Brazil and looks after volleyball development in Asia was here to discuss ways and means to further develop the game in Pakistan. “Following years of politics in volleyball where we have seen parallel body crippling the development of the game, we finally have put the volleyball development on right track. Now we are working on the development of three teams the camps of which are in progress in Islamabad. Pakistan Youth, Junior and national strings consist of over thirty budding players which we have picked after necessary trials from all over the country. These players are to form the nucleolus of Pakistan future volleyball.’

Luis Alexander who also spoke on the occasion said that he was impressed with the physic and quality of Pakistan players he had seen. “All these players need consistent training and international exposure. If the PVF succeeds in keeping these players in hunt to pursue excellence, I am hopeful the day would not be far away when country would emerge as one of the best around.’ On the request of PVF on the hiring of second foreign coach, Luis Alexander promised to get required help and support from the world body. Ch Yaqoob said that Pakistan finished fourth in the Asian qualifying and narrowly missed qualifying for Olympics. Chairman PVF announced holding the 14-team Asian and Central Zone Championship in October-November this year in Islamabad. All South Asian countries, Iran and Central Asian states would compete in the Championship. Before that major international event that Pakistan will host after lapse of almost twelve years, the national team would compete in series of international events starting with FIVB Challenge Cup world qualification from May 16-21 in Almaty (Kazakhstan). Enroute to Almaty, Pakistan will play series of matches against Turkey-one of the leading European volleyball countries. These matches will be played from May 7 to May 14.

Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship will be held from July 30 to August 6 in Myanmar followed by the Asian Games from August 18 to September 2 in Jakarta. Asian under-18 championship will be held in Iran from June 29 to July 6 while Asian under-20 volleyball is set to be held in Bahrain from July 21-28. Pakistan will compete in all these events.