The Pakistan volleyball team has been denied permission by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to travel to Chinese Taipei to participate in the AVC Challenge Cup. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Taipei City from July 8-15.
The decision has come as a surprise to the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) and the players, who have been training hard for the tournament. The PVF had previously been given permission to send a team to Chinese Taipei in 2016, so the latest decision is puzzling.
A Foreign Office official said that the decision was based on a policy guideline that does not allow sports teams to participate in events held in Taiwan. The official said that the guideline is in place because Pakistan does not recognize Chinese Taipei as a sovereign state.
The PVF has expressed its disappointment with the decision, saying that it will be embarrassing for Pakistan to pull out of the tournament at the last minute. The PVF is also concerned that the decision could lead to sanctions from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
The FIVB charter demands that all affiliated countries participate in volleyball events, regardless of political considerations. The FIVB could suspend Pakistan from future events if it does not comply with the charter.
The PVF is now trying to find a way to get the team to Taipei City for the tournament. The PVF is hoping that the Foreign Office will reconsider its decision, or that the FIVB will waive the sanctions if Pakistan does not participate in the tournament.
The decision to deny the Pakistan volleyball team permission to travel to Chinese Taipei is a setback for the sport in Pakistan. The team was hoping to use the tournament as a chance to improve its ranking and qualify for future major events. The decision could also have a negative impact on the PVF’s relationship with the FIVB.
It remains to be seen whether the PVF will be able to get the team to Taipei City for the tournament. However, the decision to deny permission to travel is a reminder of the political considerations that can sometimes influence sporting events.