Pakistan Get Strong Preliminary in Asian Volleyball
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan have been placed in Pool B of the 17-team Asian (men’s) Volleyball Championship to be played at Jakarata (Indonesia) September 1-9.

The Pool B will also include reigning champions Japan, Iran and Vietnam, thus making it perhaps the toughest group in the preliminary round of the championship.

Pakistan finished with a bronze-medal in the just-concluded Commonwealth Volleyball Championship at Kolkata (India).

On conclusion of the Commonwealth Championship, Pakistan team are currently engaged in a five-match Indian leg of the first-ever volleyball series against India.

The Indian leg is currently tied at 1-1 with the third match to be played at Hyderabad on Friday. The two teams were levelled 2-2 after the 4-match Pakistan leg.

The training camp for the Asian Volleyball Championship will start at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex, on August 20, soon after the team’s return from India.

The team will leave for Jakarta approximately on August 20.

Stefan G. Dimitrov of Bulgaria is currently the coach of the Pakistan team.

The players likely to be invited to the camp training for the Asian Championship at Jakarta are Muhammad Zaman, Irfan Nawaz, Muhammad Yasin, Muhammad Tariq Waseem, Ishfaq Hussain, Kashif Mansoor, Naeem Jan, Mohib Rasool, Naseer Ahmad, Ali Abbas, Muhammad Farooq Khan, Muhammad Azhar, Bakhat Rasal, Sanaullah, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Muhammad Ali and Muhammad Ismail.

Aisam on Davis Cup

Pakistan’s tennis ace, Aisam ul Haq said he never demanded appearance money from Pakistan Tennis Federation for playing in the Davis Cup ties.

“I skipped a couple of ties in recent past to continue my participation in ATP ranking tournaments to improve my ranking which had gone down six months ago “,he told reporters at former Davis Cupper Rashid Malik’s tennis training centre here on Thursday.

Aisam gave useful tips to a group of young players comprising boys and girls and urged them to work hard with a greater commitment and zeal to progress ahead.

He said a wrong impression was created against him by some vested interests that he preferred money and upon refusal he did not take part in the Davis ties.

“ I was struggling at 488 in worldwide ranking in singles and in doubles I was at 300,at this stage I decided to ensure my regular participation in the ranking tournament and after six months endeavour now i will be placed in 150 to 155 in singles and at 125 in doubles which widely suggests that my decision was in right direction”, he added.

Aisam said he informed his decision to skip the tournaments to Pakistan Tennis Federation which did not take it in the right way and mis-quoted him on this issue. “ I have one complaint against PTF which did not care about the respect and prestige of a player like me who rendered valuable services for his country and tennis .

‘ I have represented Pakistan for ten years in Davis Cup ties and I have the highest successful rate as the most successful player of the country and I never demanded money from them “,he said adding” I will be discussing this issue with President, PTF upon my return from America after taking part in the US open.

Aisam who is leaving in a couple of days for New York said due to his presence and performance Pakistan was able to get into World Group in Davis Cup , a history making performance never achieved before.

“ My country comes first for me and I am available to represent it in the Davis Cup in which we have slipped to Group III and a lot of hard work is needed to reclaim a place in World Group “,he asserted.

Rashid Malik speaking on the occasion said Aisam has proved his potential with his remarkable performances in the recent month at higher level of tennis. “ Aisam will be a big attraction for the younger generation to take up tennis as a sport as there is always a hero and champion who inspires others and in Aisam we have both (hero and champion)”.

The young tennis players asked many questions from Aisam who corrected their playing actions besides exchanging rallies with them.

“It was very thrilling to be with Aisam and we are delighted that he spent time with us and taught us good tennis “,said upcoming girls champion, Ushana Sohail , who spoke on behalf of the players. ●