By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Setter Kripa Adhikari and middle blocker Manisha Chaudhary are back in the national women’s volleyball team once again. The two were included in the final list of 12 players announced by Nepal Volleyball Association on Saturday for the upcoming NVA Central Asian Zone Women’s and Men’s Volleyball Championship to be held in Bangladesh from December 21 to 29.
Kripa Adhikari had returned back to the game last year after completing her training with the Nepalese Army. This is the first time she was included in the national team since then. Both Kripa Adhikari and Manisha Chaudhary were not included in the national team that featured in the first edition of the same event in 2019 and the 13th South Asian Games.
Shanti Tharu and Kamana Bista were included in the national team for the first time although they were shortlisted previously as well. On the other hand Laxmi Chand made it to the national team in her first attempt. Shanti Tharu plays for Tribhuvan Army Club while Kamana Bista and Laxmi Chand are players of Nepal Police Club.
Niruta Thagunna, a regular player of the national team, did not make it to the final list this time. Kavita Bhatta and Saraswati Jaisi also could not make it.
The NVC Central Zone Women’s and Men’s Volleyball Championship is scheduled to be held in Bangladesh from December 21 to 29. The women’s team of Nepal are the defending champions while the men’s team were knocked out from the league stage in the last edition of the championship.
12-member final squad
Pratibha Mali, Saraswati Chaudhary, Shanti Tharu, Usha Bhandari, Safiya Pun, Sunita Khadka, Manisha Chaudhary, Kamana Bista, Laxmi Chand, Salina Shrestha, Aruna Shahi and Kripa Adhikari
