Volleyball camp for Asian C’ship from tomorrow

KARACHI: National volleyballers will assemble in Islamabad on Wednesday (tomorrow) to begin preparation for the Asian Championship which will be held in Surabaya, Indonesia, from July 24 to August 1.

“Yes, the players will report on Wednesday morning and training will begin after Iftar the same day,” Pakistan Volleyball Federation’s (PVF) secretary Shah Naeem Zafar told ‘The News’ on Monday.

The PVF had informed Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) that it intended to begin training from June 5, but the Board gave the federation June 7 as the date for starting the preparation at the Liaquat Gymnasium at the Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad.

Meanwhile, PVF chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob told this correspondent that 20 players had been called to the camp which would be supervised by Iranian coach Hamid Movahidi, who showed strong resolve during Pakistan’s recent assignments, including Islamic Games and World Championship qualifiers.

“We have also invited a few youngsters to the camp. I hope two or three under-23 boys will be able to make a place in the touring party,” Yaqoob added.

“A couple of experienced players have also been called and it will be seen how fit they are,” the official said.

He said that he hoped that the team would progress. “We are on the right path,” Yaqoob said.

The PVF has plans to arrange a foreign tour for the team ahead of the Asian Championship.

“If we did not send any team for the club championship then we will send the national team to Iran for playing a few friendly matches ahead of Indonesia’s event,” Yaqoob said.

He said that skipper Naseer Ahmed would be part of the touring party. The leading eight teams of the Asian Championship would advance to the AVC Cup. In the continental event, Pakistan have been clubbed in Group B with the 2015 edition’s runners-up Iran, Chinese Taipei and the winners of Zone II.

Indonesia, Qatar, Kazakhstan and winners of Zone 1 are in Group A. Defending champions Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Sri Lanka form Group C.

Australia, China, Thailand and Hong Kong are in Group D.

Pakistan’s journey in the continental event has not been impressive. Mostly the Green-shirts have finished at the seventh or eighth spot.

Pakistan’s rare achievement in the event was way back in 1989 when they finished fourth.

In the last edition, held in Tehran in 2015, Pakistan ended tenth.

Coach Hamid told ‘The News’ on Monday that he would work hard to rectify the team’s weaknesses. “No doubt the players have a lot of potential. I have tried to change the system. The boys were playing with a style that is 20 years old. I have taught them the new volleyball style but it will take time to achieve complete mastery over the new style,” Hamid added.

He said the Asian Championship was a tough event. “You know it’s a tough event. Other nations have four-year plans for this event. We have got just two months for preparation which is not enough time but still I will try to build a solid side,” Hamid said.

“From 4pm to 6pm, theoretical sessions with the players will be held and from 10:30pm to 1:30am practical training will be held,” the coach said.

Hamid has been initially hired for six months. It is expected that his contract would be extended.

Because of his enormous experience of working in several countries as a coach Hamid knows the weak points of most of the Asian nations. “I know the other teams of Asia quite well and will plan against them accordingly,” he said.

He was very happy with his team’s performance in the Islamic Games and World Championship qualifiers.

“The boys played well. A great deal of improvement has been seen in the team,” he said.