STATE TIMES NEWS
KATHMANDU: Indian Women’s volleyball team scripted history on Sunday by winning the NSC CAVA Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup -2023 for the first time.
The India senior women’s volleyball team became the champion of the tournament by beating Kazakhstan in Kathmandu of Nepal.
India Women’s volleyball team, which won the silver medal at AVC Women’s Challenger Cup in Nakhon Pathom of Thailand last year, defeated Kazakhstan 3-0 with a score of 25-15, 25-22, 25-18.
The Indians took total control in the first set against Kazakhstan to effortlessly win 25-15. Conceding one set, Kazakhstan upped their tempo to make amends for the loss in the first set. Still, the Indian girls played well up to their standard to hold the rivals off with their good attacks and solid blocks to clinch the second set 25-22.
The third set was still dominated by the Indians, who led from start to finish in a one-sided set 25-18 match and the well-earned top place. Along with this, India finished the competition by remaining undefeated in Group A by defeating Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Indian Team Captain Nirmal Tanwar, Prerona, Soorya and K.S. Jini and other members of the team have performed to their fullest potential for this incredible performance. This win was possible by the inspirational coaching of Head Coach, Pritam Singh Chauhan and Assistant Coach, Vaishali Phadtare.
The Indian team had entered the final of the tournament after winning a match against Uzbekistan yesterday. India attacked Uzbekistan at the net to capture the easy set 25-15, match and final berth.
In the competition, Kazakhstan became the runner-up, Nepal third, Uzbekistan fourth, Sri Lanka fifth, Kyrgyzstan sixth, Maldives seventh, and Bangladesh eighth.
CAVA President Mohammed Latheef, FIVB Representative, Nepal Volleyball Association President Jitendra Chand and other dignitaries distributed the medals and trophies to the teams.
Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta-Member of Parliament & President of Volleyball Federation of India (VFI), S. Vasudevan-Chairman VFI, Raj Kumar-Executive Vice President VFI, Ramavtar Singh Jakhar-Executive Vice President-CZ, Asian Volleyball Confederation, President, Rajasthan State Olympic Association, Anil Choudhary-Secretary General, Sunil Tiwari-Treasurer VFI, Kuldeep Magotra-Associate Secretary VFI and all the office bearers of the Volleyball Federation of India congratulated the players of gold medal winner team and Head Coach, Pritam Singh Chauhan and Assistant Coach, Vaishali Phadtare for their tremendous and mind blowing performance in the historic win.
“This medal is the great efforts of players, who under the guidance and supervision of Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta and Ramavtar Singh Jakhar, played a fine game in the whole championship,” said Associate Secretary VFI Kuldeep Magotra.
Magotra added that under the Presidentship of Dr. Samanta, volleyball in India will prosper and achieve new heights at national and international levels.
For the wholesome development of Indian Volleyball, he said, Dr. Samanta and Ramavtar Singh Jakhar take all necessary steps for players as well as officials of volleyball throughout the country.
Meanwhile, Patron-in-Chief, Volleyball Association of Jammu and Kashmir, Raj Daluja; President, Sidharth Daluja; Chief Executive Officer, Kuldeep Magotra; General, Secretary, V K Magotra; Treasurer, R C Sharma; Executive Vice President, H S Gill, Joint Secretary Mohd Tariq and other office bearers of VAJK also congratulated all players and officials for their performance in the final match and got maiden gold medal.