Pro Volleyball League postponed till Nov

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) has put off the inaugural Professional Volleyball League for November 2020 following the outbreak of Covid-19 that has dealt a telling blow to all sports activities around the world.

Talking to The News chairman PVF Ch Yaqoob confirmed to The News that the inaugural league that was earlier set to be organized in April-May 2020 has now been postponed for November 2020. “We are about to enter the new era of volleyball in the country with the inauguration of first ever league that was scheduled for April-May 2020. The outbreak of coronavirus however ruined all our plans and now we have decided to defer the league for November this year. That would only be possible if life comes back to normal. As a Muslim I am confident with the grace and help of the God Almighty we would overcome this pandemic.”

Ch Yaqoob said that it was planned that eight teams with the name of different cities would compete in the inaugural league. “We have already reached sponsorship deal and all the formalities and ground work had already been prepared to hold the first ever league. We were about to announce the plan when the pandemic impacts started surfacing. We are not alone to suffer, you know well that the entire world is gripped with the virus and no one at this point of time knows when the life gets back to normal.”

The ambitious league where eight top cities were to compete was also included leading players from outside the country. “Since Pakistan is leading Asian volleyball nation, players from some of the leading clubs expressed their willingness to compete in the league. Our plans are the same for November league where the matches are expected to be held in Peshawar, Wah, Islamabad, Lahore, Sialkot, Sahiwal, Karachi, Quetta and Faisalabad.

We want to organize matches in those areas and cities where the game is popular. Hopefully the November League would be a big success. This expected success means a lot to us as it would give fresh impetus to the game in the country.” The chairman PVF said that all these months the government did very little for the promotion of volleyball in the country. “In wake of no or little support from government, we have to generate our own resources to help the game flourish.

Single tour abroad costs us almost seven to eight million rupees. Government share is hardly in peanuts but mostly it says aloof. So it is very important to make things moving by generating our own resources and that we were planning to do that with the help of league.” Amongst the international events that had to be cancelled due to the virus included under-18 and under-20 Asian championships. “Pakistan has also been drawn to compete in the Asian senior event that was scheduled to be held in September. We hope that the event would go ahead as planned.” Ch Yaqoob spoke high of his punch of players saying that recently Pakistan has beaten the best including the Asian giants.

“Despite having meager resources and no outside help we are currently ranked amongst the best in Asia which surely is a big achievement. We hope to carry on to become giants of Asian volleyball especially after the success of the league.”