Volleyball players honoured

KARACHI: National volleyballers, who won silver medal in the Sub-Zonal Asian Volleyball Council (AVC) Beach Volleyball Continental Cup in the Maldives, were given a reception by Sindh Volleyball Association (SVA) after their arrival in the port city late Saturday.
In the final on Saturday at Male Pakistan A team, featuring Mubashir Raza and Riaz, defeated India A team 2-1. However, in the second showdown, Pakistan B team, having Ismail Khan and Riaz Khan, went 1-2 down against India B.
After the tie, as per rules a golden match was held between the two countries in which India prevailed over Pakistan 2-1 to wear the crown. The set score was 20-22, 21-18 and 15-12.
After losing to India in their group, Pakistan’s A and B teams beat Nepal in straight sets to make it to the semi-finals. And in the pre-final they edged hosts Maldives to set title clash with India.
Mubashir, who was declared the best player of the event, was happy with the players’ performance. “I am very happy for the way we played and the best player award I got. We put in our best and the result is not bad,” Mubashir said on the occasion.
Pakistan’s manager Sardar Mohammad Khan said that the players played bravely. “Our both teams played bravely. In the final too we gave tough time to India but unfortunately lost the golden match,” he said.
“People of Maldives supported us and whenever we got a point against India in the final they clapped for us. I am very thankful for their support to Pakistan,” said Sardar, also secretary of Balochistan Volleyball Association (BVA).
Also present were acting president of Sindh Volleyball Association (SVA) Shah Naeem Zafar, Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) secretary Ahmed Ali Rajput, joint secretary SVA Shahid Masood, treasurer Furqan Hussain, former international and national selector Noor-ul-Hasan and Masroor Yar Khan.