National Volleyball and Netball tournaments held for Lajna Imaillah and Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya UK

Lubna Sohail, Secretary Ishaat, Lajna Imaillah UK

Lajna Imaillah UK held the National Volleyball Tournament on 15-16 February 2025, at the Baitul Futuh Complex, which was participated by 11 regions. Months earlier, regional teams began selecting members, holding practices and competing in friendly matches to prepare for the main event. For many local regions, the opportunity to train at Tahir Hall was a blessing, with some teams also hiring sports halls or gymnasiums at schools and sports facilities. Training for most teams began as early as November 2024. Once the teams of six players (with substitutes) were selected by regional coaches, captains were appointed and uniforms were ordered to complete the preparations.

As is customary to the tournament, a celebration dinner was held for all regions to attend with their teams, captains and coaches. The dinner was hosted by the National Health and Fitness Team and Sadr Lajna Imaillah UK, who also drew names to determine which team would play who and when. This was followed by a brief encouraging speech to all the participants, reiterating the spirit and need for sportsmanship amidst the competitive atmosphere yet to come.

The tournament was initiated with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the Lajna Imaillah pledge, a brief welcome address by Sadr Sahiba, and an overview of the event and schedule by the National Health and Fitness Secretary. For the players, a First Aid stall was set up to address any injuries, while spectators could enjoy snacks and drinks at the Tuck Shop.

The first game of the day was scheduled for 9 am which consisted of three sets (as all games did) and this was to be the scene for the next two days! Games were played non-stop on both days from 9 am to 1 pm, when the tournament paused for a salat and lunch break. Hearty meals were served to participants and spectators and a breather to offer prayers. On day 1, games resumed after the break and concluded at 8:40 pm, and on day 2, the semi-finals and finals took place right after lunch. A break for Maghrib prayer was taken on both days.

Ayesha region took 4^th place, Baitun Nur 3^rd place, Islamabad 2^nd, and Baitul Futuh 1^st.

The tournament concluded with an awards ceremony where organisers, referees, lineswomen, and coaches were all presented with gifts from Sadr Sahiba. Then, last but most definitely not least, the time for the team awards had arrived! As per routine, the event ended with a final silent prayer led by Sadr Sahiba.

Nasirat’s National Netball Tournament

With the volleyball weekend having now reached its conclusion, the annual National Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya Netball Tournament began. The tournament was set to take place on 17 February 2025. A total of eight regions participated. The local regions practised diligently in Tahir Hall, engaging in friendly matches, while others made use of external facilities or booked multiple training sessions per week. Training kicked off as early as November, with nasirat initially familiarising themselves with the game before their coaches selected final teams and captains. Each team comprised seven players, including a captain and three substitutes.

A celebration dinner was held for all regions to attend with their teams, captains and coaches. The dinner was hosted by the National Health and Fitness Team and Sadr Sahiba, who also drew names to determine which team would play who and when. This was followed by a brief encouraging speech to all the participants, reiterating the spirit and need for sportsmanship amidst the competitive atmosphere yet to come. Proud mothers and supportive friends filled the rows of chairs and standing space in every nook and cranny of Tahir Hall alongside their handmade banners and chants, at the ready for the moment their teams stepped onto the court. The tournament had been designed in a way which enabled all teams to play one another prior to the deciding games.

At 9 am, the tournament was initiated with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a brief welcome by Sadr Sahiba and an introduction to the event and schedule by the National Health and Fitness Secretary. For players, there was a First Aid stall set up and ready to treat any injuries that occurred on site, and for spectators, a tuck shop was available offering snacks and drinks.

The schedule made space for all regions to play each other once both before and after breaking for salat and lunch. The Ayesha region took 4^th place, Islamabad 3^rd, London 2^nd, and Baitun Nur 1^st.

Finally, the tournament concluded with an awards ceremony where teams, organisers, referees and coaches were all presented with gifts from Sadr Sahiba. As per routine, the event ended with a silent prayer.