India confirms CAVA men's Nations League participation after tournament shifted from Pakistan
After initially pulling out of the tournament, India is set to compete at the upcoming CAVA (Central Asia Volleyball Association) Men's Nations League after the host country was changed from Pakistan to Uzbekistan.
On Friday, the ad-hoc committee running the sport in India announced that selection trials will be held on May 6-7 at SAI NSSC Bengaluru followed by a training camp before the team's departure to Uzbekistan.
'CAVA had the Annual General Meeting on April 25 in Nepal where other nations also expressed their discomfort regarding their participation in the tournament in Pakistan. So, it was decided that the tournament will be shifted to Uzbekistan but the dates will remain the same,' a source close to the ad-hoc committee confirmed to Sportstar on the condition of anonymity.
Islamabad was supposed to host the tournament, where a 30-member Indian squad, including 22 players, was set to take part.
However, following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were killed, and the growing diplomatic tension between the two countries, the Indian government cancelled the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to the contingent.
'The Indian Volleyball officials have informed the regional body that their government has cancelled the NOC issued to them for the tournament after the incident in Pahalgam,' Pakistan Volleyball Federation official Abdul Ahad had told PTI.
Host Uzbekistan, India, Iran, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Pakistan are scheduled to compete in the event from May 29 to June 4..
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