Volleyball matches in Shakargarh, Sahiwal attract big crowds

KARACHI: A huge crowd witnessed volleyball matches at the richest rural centres of Shakargarh and Sahiwal in connection with the Independence Day’s celebrations the other day.

The huge attendance impressed Pakistan Volleyball Federation’s (PVF) chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob. “This speaks for the popularity of volleyball in rural Punjab,” Yaqoob told ‘The News’ on Friday. “Volleyball is also popular in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where thousands of people come to witness matches,” he added.

He said that the PVF was beginning a talent-hunt programme in different parts of the country and would organise national junior training camp for the next Asian Junior Championship sometime during 2017-2018.

“The PVF also intends to start beach volleyball camp at Islamabad from next month. The selected players will participate in future beach circuit of Asia. The departments and provincial associations have been asked to send suitable players for selection in beach camp,” the official said.

He said that the beach camp would be supervised by Pakistan’s Iranian coach Hamid Movahedi from September 10 at Islamabad Sports Complex sand courts. “Pakistan is progressing in the game and with the state support this sport will be strongly developed as the federal minister of IPC, secretary IPC and Director General of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) have assured us of full support,” Yaqoob said.