Trials for women volleyball squad begin in Kabul

KABUL, June 5 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Week-long trials for the selection of Afghanistans women volleyball squad got under way in this capital city Tuesday morning, an official said.

As many as 10 Kabul-based clubs, divided into two groups, are participating in the trials being held on a league basis - something virtually unimaginable during the oppressive Taliban regime that banned girls education.

National Olympic Committees media officer Muhammad Arif Paiman told Pajhwok Afghan News an 18-member national team of women spikers would be picked on the basis of the trials.

Provincial clubs could not take part in the competition because of restrictions from families, he said, adding Wolesi Jirga member Sabrina Saqib was among the officials who attended the opening ceremony.

The female parliamentarian, speaking on the occasion, voiced pleasure over the girls ability to break the traditional inhibitive mould and step into the national mainstream.

She hoped the emerging Afghan sportswomen, like their male counterparts, would succeed in bringing home laurels by winning international competitions.
aqs/mud