India confirms participation in Central Asian Volleyball

ISLAMABAD: Just weeks after their refusal to send a cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, India on Thursday confirmed their participation in the Central Asian Volleyball Championship (League) to be hosted by Pakistan from May 28 to June 4 in Islamabad.

Ch Mohammad Yaqoob, Chairman Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF), told ‘The News’ that India has confirmed its participation in the one of the leading volleyball events -- Central Asian Championship.

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

Other Central Asian countries including Iran have also shown interest in playing the League. 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 Islamabad. Russia has been rated as one of the best teams in the world.

“Pakistan team’s exposure against Russian 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,” PVF Chairman said.

To ensure maximum audience reach and engagement, Trans Group will oversee the production of these tournaments for live broadcast on Geo Super and another channel. Each tournament will feature 9 to 11 hours of live coverage daily, allowing millions of volleyball fans to enjoy the action in real time.

The unprecedented volleyball activities will start with the 64th National Senior Men’s Championship to be held at the POF in Wah from April 4 to April 10. This premier national event will bring together top teams from across the country to compete for the coveted championship title.

“With Pakistan’s continuous rise in international volleyball and a dynamic lineup of events scheduled for 2025, Pakistan Volleyball Federation remains dedicated to nurturing talent and expanding the sport’s influence across the nation,” Ch 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.

In a spectacular performance, Pakistan’s national team won the gold medal, reaffirming the country’s dominance in the region. Additionally, the PVF hosted the Pakistan and Australia volleyball series, where Pakistan achieved a resounding 3-0 victory.