The Central Asia Volleyball Association (CAVA) has announced the relocation of the Men’s Nations League from Pakistan to Uzbekistan, following security concerns due to growing tensions between Pakistan and India.
The tournament, originally scheduled to take place in Islamabad from May 29 to June 4, will now be held in Uzbekistan, with the dates remaining unchanged. The decision was finalized during CAVA’s Annual General Meeting in Nepal on April 25, where member nations expressed worries about the region’s security, specifically citing the strained Pakistan-India relations as a key factor.
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A senior CAVA official told Dawn that the event will still be held in Uzbekistan, but the original schedule will be maintained. This decision followed safety concerns raised by several teams, including those from Central Asia, regarding the situation in Islamabad.
Ch Mohammad Yaqub, a senior figure from the Pakistan Volleyball Federation, confirmed the change, attributing it to the reluctance of various countries to participate because of security issues linked to the ongoing tensions.
Despite the relocation, the tournament will feature teams from Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and India. CAVA assured that the integrity of the competition will be preserved, emphasizing its role in promoting volleyball in the region.
The shift to Uzbekistan has received mixed reactions, with some supporting it for the safety of the participants, while others regret the missed opportunity for Pakistan to host an international sports event.
The move comes as Pakistan has been working to boost its international reputation through such events. Though disappointed, Pakistan’s volleyball community remains optimistic that the country will host future tournaments once the security situation stabilizes.
