30 January 2005	Sunday	19 Zilhaj 1425

ISLAMABAD, Jan 29: After Kazakhstan sent in their regrets on Saturday, the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) has now invited China to compete in a six-team tournament in Islamabad next month.

Muhammad Afzal, the PVF secretary told Dawn that Kazakhstan had informed them that they would be unable to make the trip to Islamabad because of their National League.

The UAE, Kuwait and Thailand have already agreed to take part in the Feb 26 to Mar 3 tournament. The PVF which will field two teams in the competition is keen to have a fourth foreign side to make the event a six-team affair.

"We will wait two days to hear from China and if they do not come then we will play only one Pakistan team and the tournament will have only four sides," Afzal said.

Meanwhile a training camp for the championship is currently on in Islamabad under new Chinese coach Feng Lee. As many as 42 players are in attendance.

The camp will also continue for the Islamic Solidarity Games which Saudi Arabia host this April.

The PVF is also preparing to stage the Asian Club Championship between June 1-8 for which entries have so far been sent by India, Chinese Taipe, Kazakhstan and Iran.