The Indian volleyball team has backed out of the Central Asian Volleyball Championship, weeks after confirming their participation.
The Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) had submitted entries for a 30-member squad, including 22 players and eight support staff, to the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF), before the tournament.
However, the Union Sports Ministry in India urged the volleyball federation to withdraw the team in protest of the recent Pahalgam attack on April 22, which killed 26 in Indian-occupied Kashmir, escalating tensions with Pakistan.
The Central Asian Volleyball Championship, a key regional event, was expected to feature teams from India, Iran, and other Central Asian nations, following Pakistan’s successful hosting of the same tournament in 2024, where they clinched the title against Turkmenistan.
India’s absence is not much of a blow to the tournament, as their men’s team finished 11th at the 2023 Asian Volleyball Championship, and the women’s team finished seventh.
The Central Asian Volleyball Championship (League) with four countries having so far confirmed their participation in the international event to be held from May 28 to June 4 here at the Liaquat Gymnasium.
Yes go F yourself stupid endians