This file picture reveals Pakistan’s under-16 volleyball gamers in motion throughout a match. — Reporter
KARACHI: Pakistan’s under-16 volleyball crew is about to take part within the Asian Males’s U16 Volleyball Championship, scheduled to happen in Thailand from July 12 to 19, with hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIVB U17 World Championship.
The event, organised by the Asian Volleyball Confederation, will probably be held in Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi, that includes 16 groups divided into 4 swimming pools. The highest 4 groups will safe direct qualification for the 2026 FIVB U17 World Championship, which is able to broaden to incorporate 24 groups, up from 16 in its inaugural version final yr.
Pakistan has been positioned in Pool D alongside Chinese language Taipei (2023 bronze medalists), South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.
The crew will open its marketing campaign towards South Korea on July 12, adopted by a match towards Saudi Arabia on July 13, and can conclude the group stage towards Chinese language Taipei on July 14.
The Pakistan Volleyball Federation has additionally finalized 19-member provisional squad for the event.
The probables embody Abid Mehmood, Asad Ullah, Azhar Mehmood, Faizan Khalid, Faizan Ullah, Faraz Ahmad, Hayat Sher Khan, Muhammad Abbas Mastaan, Muhammad Faizan, Muhammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Junaid, Muhammad Naseem Haider, Muhammad Talha Mehar, Muhammad Umar, Muhammad Waleed Khan, Saran Baig, Usman Ali, and Wahab Abdullah.
The ultimate squad will probably be chosen from these probables forward of the event.
Within the earlier version of the championship held in Uzbekistan in 2023, Pakistan completed fourth after a hard-fought 3-2 loss to Chinese language Taipei within the bronze-medal match.
Regardless of the defeat, Pakistan earned a spot within the 2024 U17 World Championship in Bulgaria, the place Chinese language Taipei secured third place.
The event will comply with a round-robin group stage, with the highest two groups from every pool advancing to the classification rounds. The semifinals and finals are scheduled for July 19, the place the continental champions will probably be topped.
