ISLAMABAD: A significant development on the regional sporting front has emerged with the Indian volleyball team expressing a strong desire to participate in the CAVA International Volleyball Championship scheduled to be held in Islamabad from July 22 to 29, subject to receiving the necessary security assurances and political clearances.
The ten-team international event, originally planned for Lahore, has now been shifted to Islamabad due to venue-related issues. The possible participation of India is being viewed as an encouraging sign for the revival of sporting exchanges between the two neighboring countries, which have remained limited in recent years.
Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) Chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob said the Indian Volleyball Federation had approached the PVF and requested a political/security guarantee letter from the Government of Pakistan to facilitate the process of obtaining approval from the Indian authorities and subsequently applying for visas.
“Indian volleyball is in touch with the Pakistan Volleyball Federation. The federation across the border has requested the PVF to furnish a security cover guarantee letter from the Government of Pakistan enabling them to apply for visas and complete other formalities required to compete in the CAVA International Volleyball Championship,” Yaqoob said.
He added that Indian participation would greatly enhance the stature of the championship and provide local spectators with the opportunity to witness one of the region’s strongest teams in action.
“Indian participation would definitely help increase the value of the tournament for the crowd and at the same time help restart sporting relations between the two countries after a lengthy break,” he said.
Yaqoob also expressed optimism that India’s involvement in the championship could have a positive impact on broader regional sporting engagement, particularly with the 14th South Asian Games scheduled for next year.
“We are hopeful that if the Indian team participates in the CAVA Championship, it will create a positive atmosphere and help ensure the participation of their contingent in the South Asian Games as well,” he added.
According to correspondence exchanged between the two federations, the Indian Volleyball Federation has informed the PVF that it requires an official political clearance document issued by the relevant authorities in Pakistan before it can seek permission from the Government of India.
“We would like to kindly request you to provide any political clearance document issued by the concerned authorities of the Government of Pakistan. This document will enable us to seek the necessary approval from the Government of India for obtaining visa clearance,” the Indian federation stated in its communication.
The letter further noted that without prior approval from the Government of India, the team would not be in a position to initiate the visa application process through the Pakistani Consulate in New Delhi.
“Without prior approval from the Government of India, we will be unable to proceed with the visa application process at the Consulate. At this stage, we also need clearance from the Government of India to apply for visas for the team,” the communication added.
The PVF chairman urged the relevant government authorities in Pakistan to facilitate the process by providing the required assurances at the earliest so that the Indian federation could complete the necessary formalities within the stipulated timeframe.
Meanwhile, the venue of the championship has officially been shifted from Lahore to Islamabad because of concerns over the playing surface at the Lahore Gymnasium. “We have shifted the venue to Islamabad as the Lahore Gymnasium floor is not suitable for hosting an international event,” Yaqoob told The News.
Despite the relocation, preparations continue to face challenges. Yaqoob pointed out that work on upgrading the air-conditioning system at the Liaquat Gymnasium in Islamabad has yet to be completed.
“Despite approval of the requested funds for upgrading facilities at the Liaquat Gymnasium, the work on the air-conditioning system has not been completed. We hope the Pakistan Sports Board will make every effort to ensure the upgradation is completed in time for the July 22-29 event,” he said.
The CAVA International Volleyball Championship is expected to feature ten teams from across the region and is regarded as one of the most important international volleyball competitions hosted by Pakistan in recent years. The possible participation of India has added a fresh dimension to the event, raising hopes that sport can once again serve as a bridge between the two countries while enhancing the championship’s competitive and commercial appeal.
