Sports

Volleyball league relocated from Pakistan to Uzbekistan amid India tensions

Tournament was originally scheduled to take place in Islamabad from May 29 to June 4

By Faizan Lakhani

May 03, 2025

The representational image of volleyball ball. — APP/File

KARACHI: The Central Asia Volleyball Association (CAVA) has shifted its Men’s Nations League to Uzbekistan after several countries hesitated to visit Pakistan due to heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, officials confirmed on Thursday.

The tournament was originally scheduled to take place in Islamabad from May 29 to June 4. However, following concerns raised by multiple teams, CAVA shifted the event while keeping the dates unchanged.

The decision was finalised during CAVA’s Annual General Meeting on April 25 in Nepal, where member nations cited the strained environment between Pakistan and India as the primary reason for their hesitation.

“The tournament will be shifted to Uzbekistan, but the dates will remain the same,” a CAVA official said.

Ch Mohammad Yaqub, a senior official of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation, confirmed the development.

“Yes, the change was made because countries declined to participate due to the security situation between Pakistan and India,” he said.

The event will now feature teams from Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and India.