Pakistan to participate in Asian men’s U16 Volleyball Championship

Karachi: The volleyball team under Pakistan is expected to participate in the Asian men’s U16 Volleyball Championship, scheduled to take place in Thailand from July 12th to 19th, hoping to qualify for the 2026 World FIVB U17 Championship.

The tournament, organized by the Asian Volleyball Federation, will take place in Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi, with 16 teams divided into four swimming pools. The top four teams will secure immediate qualifications for the 2026 World FIVB U17 Championship, which will expand to include 24 teams, from 16 in the opening version of last year.

Pakistan has been placed in the D pool along with Chinese Taipei (2023 bronze medals), South Korea and Saudi Arabia.

The team will open its campaign against South Korea on July 12, followed by a match against Saudi Arabia on July 13, and will conclude the group scene against Chinese Taipei on July 14th.

The Pakistani Volleyball Federation has also finalized the temporary team of 19 members for the tournament.

Possible include Abid Mehmood, Asad Ullah, Azhar Mehmood, Faizan Khalid, Faizan Ullah, Faraz Ahmad, Hayat Sher Khan, Muhamad Abbas Mastaan, Muhammad Faizan, Muhammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad, Muhammad, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Mehama, Muhammad Talha, Muhammad Mehama, Muhammad, Muhammad Irfan. Muhammad Umar, Muhammad Waleed Khan, Saran Baig, USman Ali and Wahab Abdullah.

The final team will be selected from these possible in front of the tournament.

In the previous edition of the championship in Uzbekistan in 2023, Pakistan finished fourth after a fierce battle 3-2 in Chinese Taipei in the Middle Ages.

Despite the defeat, Pakistan won a point at the 2024 U17 World Championships in Bulgaria, where Chinese Taipei secured third place.

The tournament will be followed by a round team team, with the first two teams from each pool moving on to the sorting rounds. The semifinals and finals are scheduled for July 19, where Continental champions will be crowned.