Dubai: The UAE will meet Oman in the opening match of the 10th Rashid International volleyball tournament, to commence at Saeed Bin Maktoum Indoor Sport Hall at the Al Shabab Club today.
"Shaikh Mohammad Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum will attend the opening ceremony along with other officials," said Mohammad Jalfar, board chairman, Volleyball Association (VA) at a press conference yesterday.
Jalfar added the tournament was held annually in memory of the late Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum for his great support to youth and sports in the UAE.
"The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) is likely to recognise the Rashid tournament and will be discussed at the FIVB annual meeting," said Jalfar.
Only four teams are taking part in the 10th edition of the tournament.
"India couldn't field their first team due to the club commitments of their players. And we didn't accept their offer to field a reserve team," Jalfar added. "Lebanon also pulled out at the last minute, so we are left with UAE, Oman, Iran and Pakistan." The UAE national team held a two-week training camp in Italy, under Serbian coach Vesko Vukovic.
"The training camp was very successful and we hope it will reflect on the players in this tournament," said Jalfar.
The UAE team will also be taking part in the GCC tournament in Kuwait from December 1 to 7.
UAE squad: Khalid Mahmoud, Hasan Rajab, Hasan Majid, Hasan Al Attas, Mohammad Fairuz, Abdullah Ali Saif, Ali Abdullah, Mubarak Khudoum, Adil Atiq, Mohammad Al Bady, Ali Bilal, Rashid Ayoub and Saeed Obaid.
Today's matches: 4:30pm: Opening ceremony. 5pm: UAE v Oman. 7pm: Pakistan v Iran.
