According to the Pakistan Volleyball Federation, the two were selected after four players were assessed during trials — the champions and the runners-up of the national event that took place in August in Karachi.
“The quartet included Ismail Khan and Riaz Khan of PAF, who were the runners-up in the August tournament,” team manager Muhammad Javed told The Express Tribune. “The women’s team was dropped by the Pakistan Sports Board [PSB] due to financial reasons.”
Both Raza and Razzaq belong to Pakistan Navy and were training in a camp established by the team at the PSB Complex in Islamabad.
Javed added that no trainer or coach was required for the players in beach volleyball. “The players were given a diet and strategy chart to practice on their own on a sand court arranged at the complex for the last two months.
“We have selected the best player combination and are looking to finish in the top four, which will be a big achievement for us. Even if we finish in the top eight, we will be able to participate in some of the best beach volleyball events taking place around the world,” concluded Javed.
The volleyball event will be held at the Karon Beach, Phuket and will be contested between 31 nations. Meanwhile, Indonesia will be defending the men’s title.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2014.
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