ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob on Wednesday said that the ongoing year was “going to be a year of change” for Pakistan as national senior and junior teams will participate in several national and international events.

“We are also planning to hold volleyball league in October-November whereas we are also going to hold Asian Central Zone’s men’s volleyball championship somewhere in November,” he said while addressing a press conference here at the media centre of the Pakistan Sports Complex.

Flanked by Luis Alexander, director international volleyball federation (FIVB) and Secretary PVF Shah Naeem Zafar, Mr Yaqoob said that Pakistan is number four in Asia and Pakistani players have a lot of potential to grow. However, he said that the government has only been focusing on cricket, ignoring other games. “There is need to focus on all games,” he said, adding that PVF has shared details of clubs and its working with the officials of FIVB.

Mr Yaqoob said, “During my talks with Mr Luis, I requested him to provide us an international coach and his response was positive.”

To a query, he said that PVF has one international coach Hamid Movahedi, but there is need for at least one more international coach. He added, “Movahedi is a very good coach, but it is very difficult for him to handle all camps set up in various cities.”

Speaking on the occasion, Luis Alexander of FVIB, who is looking after the affairs of the game on behalf of FIVB in Asia, said that Pakistan has good potential in volleyball and FIVB will provide maximum support to it. “My visit is the first step to help Pakistan.”

He said that FIVB has no direct role in the proposed volleyball league of PVF, as local federations are fully independent to take such decisions.

Earlier, while sharing the details of events of ongoing years, the chairman PVF said that in the last week of June, national women volleyball championship would be organised, while national junior, senior and national beach volleyball championship would also be organized and Pakistani senior, women and junior teams will also participate in several international events.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2018