TEHRAN, Oct. 6 (Mehr News Agency)--Iran's girls (under 16) volleyball team is to travel to Manila, Philippines, early Tuesday to participate in the Asian Youth Girls' Volleyball Championship.

The 12 countries, led by last year's defending Champion, Japan, are: China, Taiwan, Korea, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Thailand, India, Singapore, Iran and the Philippines.

The top three finishers in the championship will represent Asia in the 2009 World Youth Girls' (under 18) Volleyball Championship in Mexico.

The 7th Asian Youth Girls' Volleyball Championship will start from October 11 to 18 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Iran is in Group C along with South Korea and Thailand. The team will be headed by Mitra Shabanian in the tournament.