Latest news with #CentralAsianVolleyballChampionship
Express Tribune
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
CAVA relocates Volleyball championship amid Pak-Ind tension
Listen to article The Central Asia Volleyball Association (CAVA) has relocated its Men's Nations League championship from Pakistan to Uzbekistan after India cited security concerns and withdrew from the event. The decision was finalised during CAVA's Annual General Meeting held in Nepal on April 25, following the April 22 incident in Pahalgam which raised regional safety concerns. Originally set to take place in Islamabad, the tournament was poised to be a major moment for Pakistan's volleyball development. However, with India's government revoking its No Objection Certificate (NOC) for participation, and other member nations expressing similar reservations, CAVA decided to shift the tournament to ensure smooth conduct. A CAVA official confirmed that the dates— May 29 to June 4 2025—will remain unchanged, with Tashkent, Uzbekistan now likely to host all matches. Following the venue change, India has confirmed its participation. While Pakistan retains its place in the competition alongside Iran, India, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, the move is a blow to its ambitions of becoming a reliable host for international volleyball events. Earlier, India has withdrawn from the upcoming Central Asian Volleyball Championship in Islamabad, citing political tensions following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, IIOJK, which killed 26 people. The Volleyball Federation of India had earlier confirmed a 30-member squad, but the Union Sports Ministry advised a pullout. Despite India's exit, the May 29–June 4 tournament will proceed with four teams, including Pakistan and Iran. Organisers say India's absence won't significantly affect competition, noting the team's modest past performances.
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
India-Pakistan sporting ties sour post-Pahalgam
The terrorist act in Pahalgam has affected almost every sphere where India and Pakistan are involved—including sports. The latest move is India pulling out of the Central Asian Volleyball Championship at Islamabad in May, which the Pakistan volleyball federation has confirmed. The SAAF Senior Athletics meet, scheduled to be hosted by the Athletics Federation of India in Ranchi on May 5, in which Pakistan were supposed to compete, has been postponed. The event's future is uncertain, because the AFI has left the decision at the foreign and sports ministries' doorsteps. These are not normal times—when lives are at stake, sporting ties are bound to be affected. Olympic and world championship medallist Neeraj Chopra, who had invited Arshad Nadeem two days before the Pahalgam shooting, was trolled online. He took to social media to express sadness that his 'love for the country and the honour of my family are being questioned'. Not just volleyball and athletics, some other major sports are also going to be affected over the next 12 months. India is co-hosting the T20 World Cup next February; the women's ODI World Cup is scheduled in India later this year. Then there is the Asia Cup for men. Because of the fixture's massive fan following, the organisers and broadcasters would have wanted the two nations to play each other. Pakistan have already said they would not play in India. It needs to be seen if the international and Asian cricket councils want the two to play in different groups. Security would remain a big concern. Sports and politics seem inseparable. The 2022 football World Cup was laced with political undertones. Even last year's Paris Olympics, despite the International Olympic Committee's efforts, became a reflection of the geopolitical divides of our times. Both India and Pakistan have used sport as a diplomatic tool earlier—either for furthering relations or restricting cross-border contact. When India sent their tennis team to Pakistan last year after six decades, it was seen as an easing of tensions. Pakistani players have also visited India for hockey, squash and athletics in the last couple of years. But without peace, sports will take a backseat.
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
India withdraws from Central Asian Volleyball event in Islamabad
The Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) on Sunday said that India has withdrawn its contingent from next month's Central Asian Volleyball Championship in Islamabad. PVF official Abdul Ahad said India had confirmed the participation of a 30-member squad, including 22 players, for the tournament starting on May 28 at the Jinnah Complex. Following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were killed, diplomatic tensions have grown between the two nations. '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,' Ahad said. 'It is disappointing to know India has withdrawn from the championship and they will be replaced either by Afghanistan or Sri Lanka.' Teams from Iran, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are scheduled to compete in the event. Related Topics Volleyball
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India withdraw team from Central Asian Volleyball event in Islamabad
Synopsis The Pakistan Volleyball Federation announced that India has withdrawn its team from the upcoming Central Asian Volleyball Championship in Islamabad, scheduled to begin on May 28. This decision follows increased diplomatic tension after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. India's withdrawal is disappointing, and organizers are considering Afghanistan or Sri Lanka as replacements in the tournament.
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
India withdraw from Central Asian volleyball event in Pakistan
Listen to article The Indian volleyball team have withdrawn from the upcoming Central Asian Volleyball Championship, just weeks after confirming participation, in response to rising political tensions with following an attack in Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) had initially submitted entries for a 30-member contingent — comprising 22 players and eight support staff — to the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF), organisers of the regional tournament. However, India's Union Sports Ministry advised the federation to pull out in protest of attack in Pahalgam, IIOJK, which left 26 people dead. The regional championship, scheduled from May 28 to June 4 at the Liaquat Gymnasium in Islamabad, is set to host national teams from Iran, Pakistan, and other Central Asian countries. Pakistan had successfully hosted the event in 2024, emerging as champions over Turkmenistan. While India's withdrawal affects the original lineup, officials noted the team's middling performance in past continental events — 11th place in the 2023 Asian men's tournament and 7th for the women — minimising the competitive impact. Tournament organisers have confirmed that four nations will still compete as planned. Earlier, Pakistan expelled 23 Indian nationals working for a Pakistan Super League broadcast partner in response to rising diplomatic tensions following the recent Pahalgam incident in IIOJK. The Indian staff were part of a technical team contracted by a broadcast company to cover the 10th edition of the HBL PSL, which began on April 11 and is scheduled to run until May 18.
