The Central Asia Volleyball Association (CAVA) has confirmed the relocation of the Men’s Nations League from Pakistan to Uzbekistan, following security concerns prompted by escalating tensions between Pakistan and India.

Originally scheduled to be held in Islamabad from May 29 to June 4, the prestigious volleyball tournament has been shifted to Uzbekistan, with the dates remaining unchanged. The decision was finalised during CAVA’s Annual General Meeting, held in Nepal on April 25, where member nations expressed concerns over the regional security situation, citing the strained relations between Pakistan and India as the key factor in their hesitancy to travel to Pakistan.

A senior CAVA official, speaking to Dawn, stated, "The tournament will now take place in Uzbekistan, but the dates will remain as initially planned." This move comes after multiple teams, including those from Central Asian countries, raised alarms over the safety of the event in Islamabad.

Ch Mohammad Yaqub, a senior official from the Pakistan Volleyball Federation, confirmed the change, saying, "Yes, the decision was made because several countries declined to participate due to the security concerns arising from the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India."

The rescheduled event will still feature teams from Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and India. Despite the relocation, CAVA has assured that the tournament will maintain its competitive integrity and will continue to serve as an important platform for promoting volleyball in the region.

The move to Uzbekistan has drawn mixed reactions, with some hailing it as a necessary step to ensure the safety of participants, while others lament the loss of an opportunity for Pakistan to host an international sports event. The shift comes at a time when Pakistan has been actively seeking to enhance its international image through sporting events.

Pakistan’s volleyball community, while disappointed by the decision, remains hopeful that future tournaments will be hosted within the country once the security situation improves.