Many International volleyball players are expected to participate in the league.
Pakistan is set to launch the first edition of professional volleyball league in December 2016.
Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob, Pakistan Volleyball Federation’s chairman, says:
“We have almost finalised plans for our very own professional league and it is expected to be launched in December this year.”
This is an exciting platform for Pakistan, as many international players will be taking part in the league.
Yaqoob adds: “There will be six to eight teams in the league. Each team will have at least two foreign players.
“The league will see players participating from Kazakhstan, Iran, China, Sri Lanka and some other Asian nations. We are in touch with the players of these countries and they have expressed their willingness to play.”
In terms of financial and funding matters of the league, the chairman implies that the players would get a reasonable amount of pay.
However, he has not revealed further details.
The Pakistan Volleyball Federation was founded in January 1955.
The men’s team, currently ranked 43 in the world, won a bronze medal at the 1962 Asian Games in Indonesia.
In 2015, they finished 10th place at the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship held in Iran.
As for the junior men’s team, they are currently fighting for 13th position at the 2016 Asian Junior Men’s Volleyball Championship.
Thus, having the country’s own professional league will be a significant milestone. It will aid in the development of volleyball in Pakistan.
Yaqoob further states:
“It will be for the very first time that a large number of our youngsters will be playing in an active league with some of the best players in the world.
“This will hone their talent and help us develop a strong national outfit.”
Although Pakistan’s national sport is cricket, Yaqoob hopes that the resurgence of volleyball will inspire the youth of Pakistan to take an interest in the sport.