Afghanistan Finish Sixth at International Sitting Volleyball Tournament

MOSCOW, RUSSIA — Afghanistan finished sixth at an international sitting-volleyball tournament for combat veterans held in Moscow from September 7 to 12.

Six teams competed in the event: Afghanistan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Rwanda, Serbia and host nation Russia.

The official results published by the Russian Paralympic Committee placed Indonesia fifth and Afghanistan sixth.

Afghanistan nevertheless received individual recognition through Rahim Timoori, who was named the tournament’s Best Defender.

Serbia won the competition after defeating Myanmar 2–0 in the final, with set scores of 25–17 and 25–20.

Russia secured third place by beating Rwanda 2–1 in the bronze-medal match. The hosts won the opening set 25–22, Rwanda responded 25–18 and Russia took the deciding set 15–13.

The tournament brought together sitting-volleyball teams composed of combat veterans and was organised by the Russian Paralympic Committee with support from Russia’s Ministry of Sports and the Russian Sports Fund.

Afghanistan travelled to Russia earlier in September to participate in the competition. The event provided the national team with international match experience against opponents from Europe, Asia and Africa.

Although Afghanistan ended the tournament without a higher placing, Timoori’s individual award gave the team a notable result from its appearance in Moscow.