KATHMANDU, MAY 22

Nepal and India made winning starts in the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Women's Volleyball Challenge Cup here at the National Sports Council covered hall today.

In the Group A match, Nepal defeated Kyrgyzstan in straight sets in the opening match of the championship. The home team recorded a 25-11 victory in the first set before winning it 25-19 in the second set. Nepal, who were trailing 4-6 in the third set, won 11 straight points on their way to a 25-11 victory in the third set.

Also, India outplayed Bangladesh in straight sets in another Group A match. India conceded a total of 18 points in the match as Bangladesh failed to reach double figures in all three sets. India recorded a 25-3, 25- 9, 25-6 victory to earn three points and share the top spot with Nepal.

In Group B, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan earned three points each with straight sets wins over their opponents. In a closely contested match, Uzbekistan defeated Sri Lanka 27- 25, 25-20, 25-14, while Kazakhstan recorded a 25-16, 25-14, 25-6 victory over Maldives.

A total of eight teams are competing in the league-cumknockout tournament which is being hosted in Nepal for the first time. Nepal are in Group A along with India, Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan, while Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Top two sides from both groups will advance to the semi-finals, while others will play for rankings.

Earlier, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the championship. Nepal national team skipper Aruna Shahi and international referee Gautam Prasad Lasiba took oath on behalf of players and referees respectively during the opening ceremony of the championship sponsored by the National Sports Council.

The championship is also supported by Rastriya Banijya Bank, Kelme Nepal, Abhibadan Travels, Nepal Tourism Board, Hyatt Palace, Nepal Telecom, Hamro Khelkud, Frontline Hospital, 100 Sports, School Volleyball Commission, Dhorpatan Sports Club, New Diamond Sports Club, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Metropolitan City and Nepal Airlines.

A version of this article appears in the print on May 23, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.