Pakistan volleyball team’s Iranian coach unable to contact family back home

Pakistan volleyball team head coach Rahman Mohammadirad has not been able to contact with his family in Iran for the last two days due to internet issues amid the ongoing war between Iran and Israel.

Mohammadirad is currently in Bahrain handling Pakistan team in the AVC Men’s Volleyball Nations Cup. He cannot sleep and is anxious about his family.

When this correspondent asked him about his family’s safety on Friday Mohammadirad said: “I don't know.”

“The internet is not working in Iran. I have not talked to them for the last two days,” he told Nukta from Bahrain.

This is a certainly a big issue for the coach who has to handle Pakistan team in crunch stage and also is concerned about his family. During an interview with Nukta the other day he had said that he had shifted his family from Tehran to a safer place.

He was extremely worried about his son who he said was too scared due to the ongoing situation in Iran.

“Frankly speaking I was too worried and nervous yesterday and cannot sleep,” Mohammadirad said.

How coach will return to Iran after the event in Manama is also a major issue.

“Also, I don't know how I should return,” the coach said, referring that Pakistan has also closed its border with Iran and the airspace is also closed for operation.

He said that he will have to find another way to return and meet his family.

“May be via Turkey could be the option,” he said.

About Pakistan’s performance against Chinese Taipei in the Thursday’s game Mohammadirad said that Pakistan faced issues while blocking after second set.

“We knew about them that they're good especially in service. I think they could change the game with their strong service. And our block lost their way after second set,” he said.

Pakistan on Thursday conquered Chinese Taipei 3-2 to qualify for the quarter-finals.

This is the second time that Mohammadirad has been acting as Pakistan’s coach after having already served the nation way back in 2021.

He also recently handled the national team in the Nations League in Uzbekistan where Pakistan finished third.