Six teams revealed for Everest Women’s Volleyball League

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 9:The first edition of the Everest Women’s Volleyball League will be seeing six franchise teams in action. The teams were unveiled amidst a press conference on Wednesday.

Initiated with #AbaPaaloMahilako (Women’s Time), the League is being organised by Infinity Dreams Pvt. Ltd. The League was decided after an agreement between the company and Nepal Volleyball Association some weeks ago.

 The six teams are representing six places – Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Madhes, Gandaki, Chitwan and Karnali – in Nepal.

According to the organisers, the teams can have 14 players. Of them, a maximum of three can be foreign players while nine need to be Nepalis. Similarly, two others should be selected through a talent hunt.

Nepali players have been divided into three categories based on the payroll. “Players in Grade A, B and C will receive Rs. 150,000, Rs. 100,000 and Rs. 50,000 respectively,” the organisers said. The draft of the players will be released soon, informed Amir Akhtar, Managing Director of Infinity Dreams.

Addressing the conference, Nepal Volleyball Association (NVA) President Jitendra Bahadur Chand said, “We expect that Nepali women players get more platforms to earn a proper livelihood from volleyball in the near future.”

Similarly, the NVA has also signed an agreement with Kedia Group for a franchise league for men’s volleyball; its details are yet to arrive.

National players feted

Meanwhile, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) feted the Nepali women’s volleyball team on Wednesday for their achievement in the 4th CAVA Women’s Nations Volleyball League.

The players, head coach, assistant coach and team manager were each awarded Rs. 100,000 in cash while the therapist received Rs. 50,000 respectively. They were also provided with certificates of recognition from the KMC.

“Our campaign at the tournament ended on Tuesday and we received awards and recognitions on Wednesday. This kind of step motivates us further,” said Aruna Shahi, Nepal’s women’s volleyball team captain.

Addressing the programme, KMC Mayor Balendra Shah said, “You showed great gameplay against India in the final on Tuesday. The match united Nepalis. Your performance proved why volleyball is the national game of Nepal. It is the responsibility of all government stakeholders to promote and develop the sports sector.”