Australia volleyball team arrives in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: A strong 14-member Australian volleyball team arrived in Islamabad Sunday afternoon to play a three-match series against the host nation.

For the first time ever Kangaroo volleyball team has toured Pakistan to play international matches. The series is being organised by the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) at the request of the Australian Volleyball Federation.

The visiting team was extended a warm welcome upon arrival at Islamabad International Airport. Besides PVF officials, volleyball fans also welcomed the Australian team.

The first match of the three-match series will be held on May 28 followed by the second and third on May 29 and May 30 at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad. All matches will start at 6:30pm, and entry for fans and supporters is free. Chairman PVF Ch Mohammad Yaqoob praised the visiting team as one of the best.

“It will be a cracker of a series as Pakistan has recently won the Central Asian title while Australia is ranked much higher. Both teams are preparing for the Challenge Cup to be held in Bahrain next month,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan women’s volleyball team departed from Islamabad Sunday for a training tour to Italy, aimed at preparing them for upcoming international tournaments. The team, led by Captain Amna and Vice-Captain Rashida Shakeel, will be under the expert guidance of Head Coach Alessandra Campedelli from Italy, assisted by Pakistani coaches Malik Zahid and Waseem Rana.

Before their departure, Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqoob, and President PVF, Sohail Khawar Mir, met with the team and expressed their best wishes for a successful tour. The team players thanked President PVF Sohail Khawar Mir for the bags gifted to all team members and acknowledged the hard work of Chairman PVF Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqoob for promoting women’s volleyball in Pakistan.s