By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Dec 29 : Nepal defended the women’s title at the Asian Senior Central Zone Volleyball Challenge Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Tuesday.

Nepal overcame Uzbekistan by a 26-24, 24-26, 25-15, 22-25 and 15-10 to claim the title for the second consecutive time. Nepal remained unbeaten in their title defence.

It is the second victory over Uzbekistan after beating them in a league last Sunday.

Nepal lifted the title of the maiden edition of the Cup in 2019 in Dhaka.

After defending the title, Captain Aruna Shahi was pleased to win the historical second international gold medal.

“We are under pressure and struggled to defend the title. We made blunders in receiving and servicing today.”
Coach Jagdish Bhatt informed the final match was delayed by one hour.

“We have to spend extra time in the warm-up as Uzbekistan's bus had an accident while coming to the stadium.”
Bhatt also thanked all the supporters and the team for the second international title.

In their route to the final, Nepali eve defeated Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in the league rounds. Nepal advanced into the final topping the table.
Likewise, the National men's volleyball team ended their Asian Senior Central Zone Volleyball Challenge Cup journey in fourth place.

Uzbekistan beat Nepal 25-15, 25-17 and 25-21 in the third-place playoff. Nepal could not emulate their league round victory over Uzbekistan.
Meanwhile, Nepal will host South Asian Women's Volleyball Championship in 2022. According to the press statement issued by the Central Asian Volleyball Association general assembly held on Monday.