LAHORE: Despite possessing immense talent and enjoying widespread popularity across Pakistan, volleyball continues to face a number of challenges that are hindering its progress at the international level.

Officials of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) and other stakeholders all agree that the sport has tremendous potential. However, they point to different obstacles that must be overcome to ensure a brighter future.

Volleyball remains one of the most popular sports in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). According to the PVF, around 300 to 350 volleyball clubs are actively operating in Punjab, while approximately 200 clubs are functional in KP.

In Punjab, the sport enjoys a strong following in Sahiwal, Okara, Faisalabad, Pakpattan, Sheikhupura, Shakargarh and Sialkot. Sahiwal and Shakargarh, in particular, have consistently produced players for the national team. In KP, Bannu has emerged as the leading nursery of volleyball talent.

Pakistan’s rise to seventh place in the Asian rankings is regarded as a significant achievement. The country, however, still faces stiff competition from continental powerhouses such as Iran, China, Qatar, South Korea and Australia.

PVF President Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob believes Pakistan has the potential to challenge the region’s elite, but only if greater resources are made available.

Lack of international-standard venues

According to Mr Yaqoob, the federation’s biggest challenge is the shortage of suitable indoor facilities. “The biggest problem for volleyball in Pakistan is that we effectively have only one international-standard venue — the Liaquat Gymnasium in Islamabad,” he said.

The PVF is planning to host the Central Asian Volleyball Championship next month, with around 10 countries expected to participate, including India and Afghanistan.

“We wanted to stage the event in Lahore, but the only available facility is the hall at the Jinnah Sports Complex. We have been informed that renovation work on the flooring is still in progress there,” he explained.

Mr Yaqoob added that the air-conditioning system at Liaquat Gymnasium is currently out of order, making it unsuitable for hosting an international event during summer.

The PVF has requested the Asian Volleyball Confederation to postpone the championship by 10 days for completion of renovation work and repair of facilities.

“We are now planning to start the tournament on July 22 and hope that at least one of the two venues will be ready by then,” he added.

Mr Yaqoob revealed that India and Afghanistan have confirmed their participation in the championship, although official government clearance for visa issuance is still awaited. There are reports that the event has been shifted to Islamabad after having no suitable venue in Punjab, where the game is widely popular.

Players seek league and job security

While the federation is concerned about infrastructure, national Captain Murad Jahan believes that the sport’s long-term growth depends on the introduction of a professional domestic league and greater employment opportunities for players.

He pointed out that while a number of Pakistan’s top players are currently featuring in overseas leagues, many others remain without competitive opportunities. “Our leading players are playing abroad, but those who fail to secure foreign contracts often remain inactive for months and struggle to maintain their standard,” he said.

Murad welcomed the federation’s latest plans to launch a national league later this year after several previous attempts failed to materialise.

The captain also expressed concern over shrinking employment opportunities for athletes. “Most national players are employed on stipends or temporary arrangements. With the government’s ongoing privatisation plans, the number of jobs for sports persons can decline even further,” he warned.

“The Iranian Volleyball League offers players contracts worth up to $1.5 million. Our players simply do not have access to such financial incentives,” he noted.

According to Murad, many players prefer participating in local tournaments because they offer immediate financial rewards. “The federation needs to increase cash incentives for national players to keep them motivated and committed,” he said.

He added that despite having far fewer resources than India, Pakistan has maintained a stronger standing in Asian volleyball.

Coach calls for long-term training programme

National Coach Mohammad Saeed believes sustained training programmes are the key to transforming Pakistan’s abundant raw talent into world-class performers.

Pakistan’s Under-17 team is preparing for the FIVB U-17 World Championship — the first time the country has qualified for a volleyball world event — while the senior side is gearing up for the Central Asian Championship.

“Both camps are being conducted through the federation’s limited resources. It would be much better if the government established permanent training programmes for both senior and junior teams on a constant basis,” he said.

The coach disclosed that Spanish coach Luis Alberto has been hired by the PVF and is currently working with the national squad. “He is helping train the players and will remain with the team until the Asian Games in Japan in September,” Saeed said.

According to Mr Saeed, improving fitness levels remains one of the primary objectives of these camps, alongside further enhancement of technical skills.

Despite limited facilities, financial constraints and inadequate infrastructure, volleyball continues to produce promising results. However, without stronger government support, modern facilities, sustainable employment opportunities and a professional league structure, the sport may struggle to fully realise its potential on the Asian and global stage.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2026