KATHMANDU: The government has honored the National Women Volleyball Team who won the title of Asian Central Zone Women Volleyball Championship-2021.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba honored the team members, coaches and the management team with a cash prize amidst a ceremony at the PM’s official residence in Baluwatar Friday.

The championship was held in Dhaka of Bangladesh from December 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 the team, adding that he hoped that all the Nepali players including those from volleyball would follow this suite 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 Almutairi 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.

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 Almutairi 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 Bist, Laxmi Chand, Usha Bhandari, Pratima Mali, Salina Shrestha, Saraswoti Shrestha, Sunita Khadka, Safiya Pun, Kripa Adhikari and Shanti Kumari Tharu.