Government honours national women volleyball players with cash prize
KATHMANDU: FEB. 4 – The government has honoured the National Women Volleyball Team who won the title of Asian Central Zone Women Volleyball Championship-2021.
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba honoured the team members, coaches and the management team with a cash prize amidst a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence today.
The Championship was held in Dhaka of Bangladesh from Dec 21-31, 2021. The government decided to award the team in recognition of its contribution to promoting the nation’s pride through sports.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister pledged to take initiations for increasing the facilities for sportspersons, citing that the sport was the means of establishing and promoting the nation’s identity and image in the international arena.
“Your hard work for taking the country’s image to a new height is highly commendable,” he responded to the team, adding that he hoped that all the Nepali players including those from volleyball would follow this suit in the future.
On the occasion, he also congratulated badminton player Prince Dahal, who has been able to secure top position in the world rankings of the men’s junior singles of the World Badminton Federation.
The PM also took time to thank the National Football Team head coach Abdullah Al Mutairi for his continuous and effective guidance to the Nepali footballers. The Prime Minister expressed his confidence that Nepali football players would do their best to secure more success in the days to come.
Similarly, Minister for Youth and Sports Maheshwor Jung Gahatraj said the honour would increase the responsibility for players. As he explained, sports would play a crucial role in connecting Nepal to the world community. He requested the Prime Minister to address the issue of volleyball covered hall construction in the upcoming budget.
On the occasion, team Captain Aruna Shahi called on the government to ensure additional sports infrastructure development and facilities for players. She also demanded the government bear all medical expenses for team’s member Saraswoti Chaudhary who was injured during the competition.
Dahal and Al Mutairi were also feted on the occasion.
Twelve members of the volleyball team were awarded Rs 500 thousand each while head coach Jagadish Prasad Bhatta and coach Bharat Yadav was awarded Rs 300 thousand each. Team manager Jyoti KC received Rs 200 thousand.
The members of the team are Aruna Shahi (captain), Manisha Kumari Chaudhary, Kamana Bista, Laxmi Chand, Usha Bhandari, Pratima Mali, Salina Shrestha, Saraswoti Shrestha, Sunita Khadka, Safiya Pun, Kripa Adhikari and Shanti Kumari Tharu.
