ISLAMABAD: Foreign players will rub shoulders with local contestants in the inaugural edition of the National Volleyball Super League in December this year, Pakistan Volleyball Federation chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob said on Wednesday.

Speaking during a press conference here at the media centre of the Pakistan Sports Complex, Yaqoob informed that the league, besides providing volleyball players with better earning which would help improve their performance, would see two foreign players in each participating team.

The PVF chief further said the league comprising six franchises was likely to be held in Sialkot and Islamabad.

According to Yaqoob, the PVF had chalked out a comprehensive players’ development programme aimed at qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.

“We have signed a three-year agreement with Engro, which besides being title sponsors for the league, will also help us promote the game in the country,” he said.

Currently, the PVF head said, the national Under-20 team was attending a training camp in Wah for its participation in upcoming events.

“Next month, Pakistan is due to participate in three mega events — the Asian Junior Volleyball Championship in Bahrain, the AVC Cup in Thailand and the Islamic Solidarity Games in Turkey,” Yaqoob stated.

He said the PVF had also decided to hold competitions at grossroots — at club and regional levels, adding that there was no dearth of raw talent in Pakistan.

The PVF chairman added that the federation was also planning to host an international event featuring eight Central Asian countries from Nov 20 to 27 in Islamabad.

“The PVF has also decided to take part in the bidding process for holding the Asian Volleyball Championship next year,” Yaqoob said.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2022