December 4, 2001	Tuesday	Ramazan 18, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) has sent its confirmation to the organisers of next March’s Al-Rashid International Championship in Dubai.

Maj Muhammad Afzal, secretary of the PVF said Monday that six teams including India will take part in the event which runs from March 11 to 18.

Although it is not known if India have confirmed their participation, it is understood that the organisers will rope them in.

“The crowds do not turn up if India and Pakistan are not playing,” Afzal said. “Besides India have regularly contested the tournament.”

After Pakistan skipped the last edition of the tournament due to a clash of dates with the National Games, the organisers this time had approached the PVF months ago to ensure they compete this year.

Apart from Pakistan and India, it is not known which are the other teams in the competition.

The tournament, Afzal said would provide a good opportunity to the Pakistan spikers to warm-up for the March 30-April 8 SAF Games in Islamabad.

“This tournament will help our players get in the competitive mould ahead of the all-important SAF Games.”

The SAF Games, originally scheduled for October this year, were rescheduled following the events of Sep 11.