Pakistan made a winning start to the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Championship in Islamabad, defeating Sri Lanka 3-0 in their opening match. On the first day of the championship, Kazakhstan defeated Nepal 3-2 in a thrilling contest, while Bangladesh also secured a 3-2 victory over Uzbekistan.
Speaking exclusively to our correspondent after the match, Pakistan’s captain Murad Jehan said that winning the opening game sets the tempo for the tournament and gives the players much-needed confidence. He added that every match in the championship is important, as victories earn ranking points that play a crucial role in qualification for major international tournaments.
The Pakistan captain also thanked the fans for their support, saying that playing on home ground and having the backing of the home crowd further enhances the team’s performance. The opening ceremony was held at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Board, Islamabad, with all participating teams taking part in a parade. Secretary Inter-Provincial Coordination Mohiuddin Wani attended the ceremony as the chief guest.
Chairman Pakistan Volleyball Federation Chaudhry Yaqoob said hosting the third CAVA Championship was an honour for Pakistan and expressed hope that with better facilities, national volleyball could achieve further success. The CAVA Volleyball Championship will continue in Islamabad until July 29.