KATHMANDU, July 27: Nepal Volleyball Association (NVA) on Tuesday said the national women volleyball team has completed preparations for two-friendly matches against India. NVA is hosting the friendlies on Thursday and Friday.

Organizing a press conference in the capital on Tuesday, NVA informed that the 57th ranked India national team will arrive in Kathmandu on July 27.

 The NVA has already announced a 12-member squad cutting down from 17 players called in the initial phase of training under head coach Sudesh Rimal.  Regular captain Binita Budhathoki is leading the national team while Manju Gurung is continuing the role of a deputy, according to the NVA. Most of the players in the team had represented Nepal in the 12th SAFF games held in India last year.

Coach Sudesh Rimal expressed satisfaction over the team's training and was confident about improved performance against the South Asian giant.

"Though India is a strong team, we will try our best to win the match. If we can't win we will throw tough challenge to the opponents. We have prepared well despite limited time and resources," Rimal said.

The Indian team has been dominating the South Asian volleyball since many years so playing against them would be vital for gaining experience, added Rimal.

Rimal was also optimistic that the team will come up with an improved performance in comparison to the last SAFF, which saw Nepal face straight sets defeat at the hands of the same opponent. Nepal had won bronze in SAFF games as India stamped their domination in volleyball with gold at its home court.
 
Matches on new mat
The matches will be played on the recently installed Taraflex mat at the Dasharath Stadium Covered Hall. Nepal Volleyball Association General Secretary Jitendra Bahadur Chand said the matches against India will be played on the Taraflex mat gifted by the FIVB, the international federation of volleyball. The Nepal-India friendlies will also mark the inauguration of the newly-laid mat. Ending the compulsion of playing on the old mat installed in the 1990s, the new mat will help Nepali volleyball players hone their skills, according to Chand.

Meanwhile, NVA also handed over playing shoes to captain Binita and vice captain Manju during the same function.  

NVA has set ticket price of Rs 200 for each match and Rs 500 for both matches.

 
• nepal volleyball association
 
• national women volleyball team
 
• friendlies against india