Volleyball team not to be sent to Iran

KARACHI: Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) on Friday decided against sending its national senior team to Iran for training after the Green-shirts were drawn with Iran in the group as the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) held virtual draws for the 21st Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship which is slated to be held in Chiba, Japan, from September 12 to 19.

The PVF has now decided to send its brigade either to Qatar or Turkey. “We are now not sending our team to Iran as we have been placed with them in the group," the PVF chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob told 'The News' on Friday.

"Qatar and Turkey are now on our radar. We have already written a letter to Qatar and considering contacting Turkey as its standard is strong. We want to play against some tough nation in order to prepare well for the Asian Championship which is a vital event,” Yaqoob said.

"In a couple of days the situation will become clear," Yaqoob said. "We need six to seven practice matches against good sides and that's what we are working on. Hopefully we will be able to finalise a deal," the official said.

"If we are able to finalise a deal then we will plan to send the team to Japan directly from there after playing friendly games," Yaqoob said.

Pakistan have been placed with defending champions Iran, Thailand and Hong Kong in Pool B. Hosts Japan are in Pool A with India, Qatar and Bahrain.

Australia, silver medallists at the previous edition, China, Sri Lanka and Kuwait are in Pool C, while Korea, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia are in Pool D.

Pakistan team is preparing at Lahore for the Japan event. The number of players in the camp has been reduced to 20. "Yes, the players strength has been reduced to 20," Yaqoob said.

He appreciated the working ethics of Iranian coach Rahman Mohammadi Rad. "The coach is doing a great job. He is bringing the boys into great shape and it will help in the Japan event," the official said.

Mohammadi Rad's services have been hired for three months which will be extended as the PVF wants to have a foreign coach until 2023 South Asian Games which Pakistan will host in Punjab.

"The coach is working for eight hours a day which is stunning," said Yaqoob, a former senior police official.

The players, most of them vaccinated, will be relieved for a few days to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha.

"The boys will be going on Eid holidays on July 19 and will re-assemble on July 23 as we don't have much time," Yaqoob said.