KARACHI: The Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) has chalked out an elaborate programme aimed at reviving the game in the country which envisaged launch of the Pakistan Volleyball League (PVL) and the Chief Minister’s Cup in all the four provinces.

“We’ve decided in principle to launch the PVL on the pattern of PSL in the country later this year to revive the famous sport,” the newly-elected secretary of the PVF Engr Shah Naeem Zafar told Dawn on Tuesday.

He said some foreign players will also be invited to create thrill in the proposed league. It will not only promote the sport but will also build the image of the nation, he added.

Zafar, who retired as Manager Sports of the KPT after serving the department for 31 years, said as the president of the Sindh Volleyball Association he will send a letter to the Sindh chief minister soon requesting him to give his nod for the Chief Minister’s Cup.

Similar letters will also be send to the Chief Minister’s of the other provinces in due course of time, he said.

He said inter-club volleyball that will serve as talent hunt programme, will commence soon and added that youth with six feet height will be encouraged to pick up the sport.

An Iranian coach is due to arrive in Pakistan early next month to prepare Pakistan teams for the two coming international assignments, he said, adding that Pakistan Junior under-23 team will compete in Asian event in Iran while the national team will travel to Kazakhstan to participate in the Islamic Games.

The two outfits are undergoing training in Peshawar and the camp will be shifted to Islamabad in a day or two after the arrival of foreign coach, he said.

He went on to say that expenses of the Iranian coach are being jointly met by the PSB and PVF.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan has remained a force to be reckoned with and was placed fourth in Asia in the yesteryears while the juniors were placed third in the region.

Naeem was unanimously elected secretary in the PVF general body meeting held in Lahore earlier this month as the place was fallen vacant due to the death of former secretary Shahid Kamal.

The meeting also gave the voting rights to Fata.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2017