LAHORE: Six players of Pakistan U-16 volleyball team, belonging to Punjab province, have been awarded a monthly scholarship of Rs70,000 each for one year for being part of the national team, which created history in Thailand by winning the Asia U-16 Volleyball Championships after defeating Iran in the final last week.

The victory had also helped Pakistan to qualify for the next year’s World Volleyball Championship-2026. Six players, namely Asadullah, Azhar Mehmood, Faraz Ahmad, captain Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Talha Mehar and Muhammad Umar, were called on Director General Sports Board Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry on Tuesday.

“The young national volleyball players have made history with passion, skills and teamwork and to encourage such talented players is our top priority. We are quite upbeat that these talented players will win numerous laurels for the country in international competitions,” Mr Chaudhry said.

Head coach of the Pakistan U-16 volleyball team Kifayatullah also attended the meeting.

It is pertinent to note that the Pakistan team also defeated India 3-0 in the semi-final to play the final against a strong team of Iran and won the close final 3-2 after being 2-0 down in the beginning.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2025