Kathmandu: The Nepali women’s volleyball team, which will participate in the Asian Games for the first time, is busy with preparations. The Asian Games present the biggest opportunity for Nepali women’s volleyball players.
With this in mind, the players are practicing with the goal of performing well in the upcoming competition. Captain Aruna Shahi says, “This is a challenge for us, more than a challenge, it’s an opportunity. We will get a chance to learn from stronger teams and improve ourselves.”
Asian Games will also see the participation of other strong teams from Asia. Playing against such teams will provide good exposure to the players and help them understand other possibilities.
“This is a very special competition for us,” says Captain Aruna, “We may get an opportunity to play in foreign leagues after this competition. It’s a very different experience from what we have been used to in Nepal.”
Two spikers, Pratibha Mali and setter Janaki Bhandari, have already played in foreign leagues. After the Asian Games, other players may also get a chance to explore foreign leagues. “Other players can also get opportunities in foreign leagues. This will be a very different experience,” says Captain Aruna.
Captain Aruna Shahi
The Nepali team played in the home ground at the Khwopa Woman’s Challenge Cup. Following this, players who got a 1/2 week break have begun preparations for the 7th Prime Minister Cup National Women’s and Men’s Volleyball Tournament. The training for the Asian Games started from 2nd Sawan.
Players who have been in continuous competition and training are physically fit. “We are starting training with intensity from now on. We have a 12-member team and we have time to prepare. Usually, international competitions have a quota of 14 players, but in the Asian Games, we have a quota of 12 players,” says Coach Jan de Brandt.
Practice with India
Before going to China for the Asian Games, Nepal will practice with India in Kathmandu in mid-August. “India is a good competitor for Nepal. We will try to defeat them,” says Brandt, “We didn’t practice with Maldives and Bangladesh for the Asian Games. We need to practice with stronger teams.”
He says that Indian players are physically stronger than Nepali players, and that’s why playing against them will help the Nepali players prepare for the competition.
Coach Jan de Brandt
In the situation where Nepal can win against India, Coach Jan de Brandt is sure that the Nepali women’s volleyball team can reach new heights. “We will try to take Nepal to higher levels. After watching India’s games in the Khwopa Woman’s Challenge Cup, we also selected India for practice matches,” she said.