Volleyball captain Naseer announces retirement

KARACHI: Pakistan’s volleyball captain Naseer Ahmad has announced retirement after serving the country for 15 long years.

“Yes, I have resigned. I have decided this after a deep thought. I want the youngsters to get chances,” Naseer told ‘The News’ in an interview on Monday.

When asked whether he was happily ending his international career, the country’s top spiker said: “It’s not easy to quit when you can still play. But one day you have to quit and I have done this to give chance to the young lot who are growing well under the foreign coach,” he added.

The 34-year-old Naseer belongs to Shakargarh, a city in the north east of district Narowal. He had been Pakistan’s captain since 2009.

In this era, Pakistan’s volleyball saw many ups and downs. Naseer said that Iranian coach Hamid Movahedi had been handling the national team quite well. “He is doing a great job. The boys are learning and I see a good future of Pakistan’s volleyball,” the spiker said.

Naseer led Pakistan in the 2010 China and 2014 Incheon Asian Games, 2017 Baku Islamic Games and 2016 South Asian Games in India besides several other international events.He was part of Pakistan’s team in the 2005 Islamic Games in Saudi Arabia.

He returned six days ago from Lebanon after his engagement in their professional league. He has been appearing in professional leagues for the last ten years. Naseer has also played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Jordon and Maldives.

He said he would continue to play professional leagues and would represent WAPDA in domestic circuit.“Yes, I will keep playing professional leagues and will also be part of WAPDA in the domestic events,” Naseer said.

He stressed the need for a professional league in the country. “A professional league is very important for promoting volleyball. We need it in every sport; without a professional league you cannot promote any game,” the seasoned player said.

“I have already suggested to Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) to initiate a league. It does not matter if it is a small one initially. Unless players earn money they will not be able to play wholeheartedly. There is a need to provide the boys earning chances and you cannot do that without a league,” he said.

Naseer recalled that in 2011 Pakistan had got a very good combination but the PVF issue damaged everything. “Some players of armed forces were not allowed to play. That created a big mess. Some players who were on the top of their game could not play for many years; their careers were destroyed,” Naseer recalled.

To a query, he said that there was no specific system of volleyball at the grassroots level. “The boys come to the top from clubs; it is not easy to change their style and techniques. We need to create a base through a system which could polish the young talent at the grassroots so that when they come to the national team they are well-prepared and do not need to be taught the basics,” he added.

Naseer, who made his international debut in 2003 Asian Men’s Volleyball Championships in Tianjin, China, is also interested in coaching. He plans to do a coaching course in near future.“Yes, definitely I am interested in coaching. I will do a coaching course in future,” he said.