Pakistan's Aimal Khan (R) spikes the ball over to Iran's Mojtaba Shaban during the third Asian Central Zone Volleyball Championship senior men's at Netaji Indoor courts in Kolkata on September 17, 2010. -Photo by AFP (file)

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Brazilian volleyball coach Augusto Sabbatini's contract with the Pakistan Volleyball Federation has expired this month, Dawn has learnt.

Answering a question, he said: “He was a good trainer and we were satisfied with his performance,” adding, “Pakistan won a few events during his one-year stint with the federation.”

“He also helped us in finding new talent from national tournaments,” he said.

Volleyball, a famous sport in Pakistan's rural areas, “is largely played in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, however, due to limited financial support extended by the Pakistan Sports Board to the national squad, it has failed to clinch any major international title for last several years.”

Sabbatini, according to the official, was paid almost $5,000 on monthly basis.

“We are examining various options and after generating few good sponsors for the team, the federation is hopeful of hiring a new foreign coach,” claimed the official. “But there is no deadline for it,” he added.

The official said they would soon announce schedule for the next year.