Both Afghanistan men’s and women’s teams benefit from Volleyball Empowerment support so they can continue to compete in international competitions
- Joint support between the FIVB, IOC and National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, has helped the Afghanistan women’s volleyball team to continue to play in various international competitions
- According to the Afghanistan Volleyball Federation Secretary General Khushal Malikzai, the funding from FIVB has given the women’s team increased confidence and hope
- FIVB funding has also facilitated the continued improvement of Afghanistan’s men’s national team
Through combined support from the FIVB, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Afghanistan women’s volleyball team have continued to play in a number of competitions on the global stage, despite various challenges.
Afghanistan women’s volleyball team at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China in 2022. (Photo credits: AVF)
The FIVB has invested CHF 89,000 in Afghanistan’s men’s and women’s national teams to facilitate their travel, allowances for players and coaches as well as accommodation to various international tournaments, including the Asian Games, Islamic Solidarity Games and Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Challenge Cup.
According to the Afghanistan Volleyball Federation (AVF) Secretary General Khushal Malikzai, the funding from the FIVB has given the women’s team increased hope and confidence.
“We are the only women’s national team from Afghanistan participating in international competitions thanks to the support we have received from FIVB. The volleyball team also gives hope to other women’s national teams,” said Malikzai.
“The FIVB has not only allowed us to participate in volleyball tournaments but also facilitated our preparations, travel, allowances and accommodation. This has really boosted the morale of the team, and we are forever indebted to the FIVB for their commitment and support,” he added.
Malikzai singled out the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China in 2022 as a special tournament for their women’s team. Despite finishing last in the women’s volleyball competition, the warm reception by the home crowd still lives in the memories of the team.
“We lost all our matches but anytime we played, the over 5,000 fans in the arena rallied behind our team. They cheered us with every touch of the ball and made us believe that we were winners by just merely participating in the competition.
“The team got a lot of media coverage and it was encouraging that they were a big attraction for broadcasters…It was a special tournament for us and all sportswomen in Afghanistan,” noted Malikzai.
Afghanistan’s men’s team are currently ranked 63rd on the FIVB World Ranking. (Photo credits: AVF)
In addition to supporting the women’s national team, the FIVB also provides support to the men’s national team in Afghanistan, who have seen extensive improvement in their play thanks to the Volleyball Empowerment programme. Currently ranked 63rd on the FIVB World Ranking, they finished third in the 2023 CAVA Challenge Cup and Malikzai says they can only go up from there.
“We have been participating in international competitions consistently and this has helped improve our team. We hope to reach the final of this year’s CAVA Challenge Cup after finishing third last year.
“We are also targeting to apply for a long-term coach support project of four years to achieve our target of breaking into the top 10-ranked teams in Asia in the next two years,” said Malikzai.
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