ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recently defeated Japan 3-0 to clinch the bronze medal at the Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship in Bahrain, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a report, showcasing the South Asian country’s talent at the grassroots level in the sport.
Bahrain is hosting the 15th Asian U-18 Volleyball Championship which began on July 28 and continued till August 4. The tournament featured 16 teams across Asia who competed for the trophy. After narrowly losing out to China in the semifinal of the tournament last week, Pakistan competed for third place against Japan on Sunday.
“In a dominant display of skill and teamwork, Pakistan triumphed over Japan with a decisive 3-0 victory in the third-place match,” APP said. “The set scores were 25-13, 25-21, and 25-17, showcasing Pakistan’s superior play.”
Pakistan clinched the third spot out of a total of 16 countries including Bahrain, Thailand, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Taipei, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Lebanon, India and others.
“The victory not only brings a bronze medal but also marks a significant milestone for Pakistan volleyball, reflecting the growth and potential of the sport in the country,” the state media reported.
APP credited the “strategic planning and rigorous training regimen” of the coaching staff for the team’s success, saying that it played a crucial role in honing the athletes’ skills and enabling them to perform at their best on the international stage.
“In addition to securing the Bronze Medal, the Pakistan U18 Men’s Volleyball Team has also qualified for the upcoming World Championship,” it said.
Pakistan’s Under-18 squad includes talented players such as Talal Ahmed, Abu Bakar, Muhammad Issam, Muhammad Hassan, Gibran Ajmal, Junaid Muttahed, Ali Shah, Muhammad Junaid, Muhammad Yahya, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Nasir, and Khizr Hayat.
