Afghan women spikers off to Tajikistan

KABUL spikers on Thursday left for Tajikistan to play friendly matches on their first-ever trip to the neighbouring country, officials said.

The contingent included 16 players, four trainers and as many officials, the Afghanistan Volleyball Federation head, Mohammad Younus Popalzai, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The squad would play friendly matches against their Tajik counterparts during the first five days of the week-long trip, he said. The friendlies will be followed by a series of regular matches.

Before embarking on the trip, spiker Braikhna Sherzai hoped she would learn new techniques of the game. She asked the government to provide them all necessary facilities.

Coach Laila Habibi said the female team was stronger 30 years ago than the current one. In the past, she recalled, girls would practice in schools. The trip is funded by the private mobile company, Etisalat, in collaboration with Kam Air.

myn/ma/mud

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