By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Dec 31 : The national women's volleyball team received a hero’s welcome after returning with a second international trophy in Kathmandu on Thursday. 
Minister for Youth and Sports Maheshwor Jung Gahatraj Athak welcomed them at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. 

The government on Wednesday announced the cash prize of Rs. 500,000 to each player of the women’s team for their title defence. The government also will be honouring Coach with Rs. 300,000 and officials with Rs. 200,000 each.

Nepal Volleyball Association (NVA) President Manoranjan Raman Sharma, Vice-president Niroj Maskey, officials and volleyball supporters reached the airport to welcome the victorious team.

Nepal lifted the trophy of the AVC Central Zone Challenge Cup for the second successive time in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Tuesday. They defeated Uzbekistan in a five-set thriller to defend the title.  

Addressing the media, Coach Jagdish Bhatta said that the victory added more responsibilities to the team. "The prize money announced by the government also added more responsibilities on us," said Bhatt. He was all in praise for Minister Athak for his effort in providing the prize money to the volleyball team. 

"Our main job is playing at the field. We have to perform with all our abilities at the venue. For that, we need a playing environment." 

He also stressed the need for an academy and covered-hall to uplift the volleyball from the grassroots. 

Echoing Coach Bhatt, Captain Aruna Shahi said that the achievement has put more responsibility on the team to do well in the coming days. 
Captain Shahi also emphasized the construction of an international level court for volleyball alone. 

Addressing the need for a volleyball court, Minister Athak promised to construct the international level indoor covered hall inside the premises of the National Sports Council.  

He also informed that the cabinet meeting approved the participation of Nepali women and men’s volleyball teams in the 19th Asian Games to be held in China next year. 

Similarly, the national men’s volleyball also returned with the women’s team. They won two matches during their participation in the AVC Central Zone Challenge Cup.