Host Nepal eyes to lift CAVA Women’s League 3rd time

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 27: While the Nepal Volleyball Association (NVA) revealed that they were all set to host the CAVA Women’s Nations Volleyball League-2024, Nepal’s coach and players expressed they were prepared to lift the trophy for the third time in its fourth edition.

Nepal, also the host of the previous edition, is hosting four Central Asian countries in the League from August 1 to 7. Defending champions India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Iran are coming to Nepal for the League.

Nepal won the inaugural and second editions of the League in 2019 and 2021 while the third edition in 2023 was bagged by India. “We have our plans. Our players will adapt as the match demands. We are eying the Cup,” said Jagadish Prasad Bhatta, Nepali women’s volleyball head coach, at a press meet on the League on Friday. 

The Nepal Volleyball Association (NVA) also revealed the trophy for the winners of the League during the press meet.  “The two practice matches with Russia helped us in our preparation. Our players learned a lot from the better team,” Bhatta added. Nevertheless, Nepal’s team could not get training from Russia’s world-class coaching staff as scheduled earlier as the staff had to return home due to some work. 

Nepal’s major challengers will be India and Iran, who are ranked 57th and 63rd in the FIVB Women’s Ranking. “We have played multiple times with India. We are also doing our homework on Iran, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.”

Fixtures

Nepal is playing Sri Lanka in the League opener on August 1 at 3:15 pm followed by India vs Iran at 5:45 pm. The host will face the arch-rivals, India, in the first match on Day 2 followed by Iran vs Maldives. Nepal has a break on August 3 as Sri Lanka faces Iran and India faces Maldives. Nepal returns to action on Day 4 against the Maldives at 5:15 pm while the day will be opened by India vs Sri Lanka.

On Day 5, the league stage ends with Sri Lanka facing Maldives at 3 pm and Iran facing Nepal at 5:15 pm. As per the fixtures, the semi-finals will be played between the first and fourth-positioned teams and second and third-positioned teams. The winners in the respective matches progress to the final and the losers will play for the third spot on August 7.

The Nepal government has allocated a budget of Rs. 3 million for the League. “The estimate for the League, including lodging, food and transportation of participants and officials, is around Rs. 17.5 million,” said Jitendra Bahadur Chand, Chairman of NVA. According to Chand, the NVA will be collecting the extra amount through supporting hands and sponsors. The NVA has also declared to charge Rs. 500 per ticket for a day during the league stage. 

“We plan to make the participants feel quality hospitality as they need to be fit, refreshed and healthy for matches. All the players will be staying at the Baneshwor-based five-star Everest Hotel. The covered hall will be equipped with coolers,” said Chand.