Volleyball Empowerment helps Nepal reach podium in CAVA Cup, India take gold.

India went unbeaten at the 2023 Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup to take the title, while hosts Nepal, supported by Volleyball Empowerment, clinch bronze.

In the final match against Kazakhstan on Sunday at the National Sports Council Covered Hall in Kathmandu, Nepal, India emerged victorious in straight sets (25-15, 25-22, 25-18). Both teams qualified for the knockout stages unbeaten, with India beating Uzbekistan 3-0 in the semis while Kazakhstan had to dig deep before edging out hosts Nepal 3-2 to reach the final.

India dominated the final with Soorya leading the champions with 13 points while Anushree and Nirmal added 12 and 10 points respectively. Sitkazinova returned a game-high 17 points for Kazakhstan who settled for silver.

Action between India and Nepal in Pool A. (Photo credits: AVC)

Meanwhile, bronze medallists Nepal put up a remarkable comeback to win the third-place playoff 3-1 (20-25, 25-16, 25-15, 25-13) against Uzbekistan. Saraswoti emerged as Nepal’s top scorer, with Usha adding 17 points. Ezozakhon led Uzbekistan with 11 points.

The host nation, who won the AVC Central Zone Championship twice in 2019 and 2021, is a beneficiary of the transformational FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme.

The FIVB has invested a total of CHF 136,000 in Nepal through volleyball equipment and coach support since 2017. In particular, the FIVB supported Nepal with a Gerflor floor worth CHF 65,000 at the National Sports Council Covered Hall in Kathmandu, the venue for this year’s CAVA Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup.

The dream team of the 2023 Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup (Photo credits: AVC)

Belgian Coach Jan Jose De Brandt is currently working with the Nepal national team as part of a Volleyball Empowerment project. The results of the support were evident in the much-improved women’s side which remained highly competitive throughout the tournament. Nepal was also the only team to take a set from champions India despite losing their Pool A match 3-1.

Nepal Minister of Youth and Sports Dig Bahadur Limbu and Tanka Lal Ghising, Member Secretary of the Nepal National Sports Council jointly presided over the awards presentation and closing ceremony on Sunday.