Date:03/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/03/stories/2003040303412000.htm

Sport - Volleyball

Iranians arrive

VISAKHAPATNAM APRIL 2. Iran, winner of the last edition of the Asian Youth volleyball championship, arrived here on Wednesday, confident of retaining the crown.

The head coach of the Iranian team, Nasir Shahnouji, and captain Md. Suleimane, rated South Korea, China, Qatar and host India as the tough teams among the 10 contestants. When asked which side could be the toughest opponent, Nasir quipped "Iran'' and added: "Inshah Allah, it should be an Iran-India final.''

Suleimane and Wahid Sadiq are the only players who figured in the Iranian team which won the title in Iran in 2001. However, the team's standard hasn't slipped and the players are in excellent physical condition too. The team had an intensive training session at home before landing here.

Iran as well as India, which came here on Tuesday, practised at the Port indoor stadium in the evening.

South Korea was scheduled to reach here on Wednesday but could not make it since there was no connecting flight from Delhi or Chennai. It will land on Thursday via Kolkata, president of the organising committee, S. Kodandaramiah, informed.

Qatar is expected on April 5, a day before the tournament starts. Its arrival too has been delayed due to non-availability of flights.