The Central Asian Volleyball Championship has been relocated from Pakistan to Uzbekistan due to rising tensions between Pakistan and India following the recent Pahalgam incident.
Originally scheduled to be held in Islamabad from May 29, the tournament will now take place in Uzbekistan on the same dates. The decision was made during a recent meeting of the Central Asian Volleyball Federation in Nepal.
The move comes amid growing political friction between the two South Asian neighbors. Teams were reportedly hesitant to travel to Pakistan given the current security climate and diplomatic uncertainty.
The Pakistan Volleyball Federation has officially confirmed the tournament’s relocation, citing strained relations with India as a key factor. Tensions escalated after the killing of 26 Indian tourists in the Pahalgam area of Indian-administered Kashmir—a tragedy for which India has indirectly blamed Pakistan, further straining diplomatic ties.
In response to India’s retaliatory steps, including threats to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan has issued strong rebuttals, warning of serious consequences.
The shifting of the regional sporting event underscores the broader impact of geopolitical disputes on international sports and regional cooperation in South Asia.