ISLAMABAD, Feb 3: An international volleyball tournament which had been planned for this month in Islamabad has been put back, officials said on Thursday.

Pakistan volleyball secretary Muhammad Afzal told Dawn that the Feb 26 to March 3 tournament had been rescheduled with a tentative start now on March 20.

"We have now sent out fresh invitations to a number of countries and already Thailand and Iran have agreed to the new dates," Afzal said. India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, China and Kazakhstan are the other countries which have been invited. "We will pick and choose once we learn of their availability."

The PVF intends to have a six-team event including two Pakistan sides. Before the rescheduling, UAE, Thailand and Kuwait had consented to take part in the tournament. The competition is to be televised live by Ten Sports.