KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 5
The Nepal Volleyball Association introduced a monthly salary of Rs 5,00h each to national team members and handed over three-month remuneration amidst a program here today.
NVA President Jitendra Bahadur Chand handed over Rs 15,000 apiece to 24 players - 12 each from men's and women's teams - who are currently preparing for the 19th Asian Games to be held later this month in Hangzhou, China. The amount was donated to the NVA by well-wishers and former international players including Sipora Gurung, Ramila Tandukar, Roman Shrestha, and Kailash Bhatta.
"We had been facing this question for a long time as we were not able to manage the monthly salary of the national teams' players of the national sport," said Chand. "We are grateful to our well-wishers and supporters in the United States of America for their generous support. Former national player Ram Shrestha initiated this drive and they have promised us to provide the salaries to the 24 national team players for at least one year," he said.
"The amount is small; it's like a peanut actually, but it's a great start. I am very happy today as the national teams members will be getting a monthly salary. The amount might be increased in the days to come," Chand said. "Now that we have started giving monthly salaries to the players, we will not discontinue this even if we do not get the amount from our well-wishers in the USA. We will do whatever we can, saving money from training and tournaments can be an option, but we are committed to continuing this," he added. "If not, the executive committee members will contribute to the cause." He also said the NVA would decide on the perks of coaches.
Chand also urged the team members to maintain discipline during tournaments. "Individuals and associations can get success only if they are disciplined. The bad incident that happened at the NSC covered hall where some players charged on fans at the parapet still haunts me at times. The association is for the players and we will always stand by their side, but they need to maintain discipline all the time," he said. "Most of the players are with the three departmental teams and the NVA is in talks with various companies for the unemployed jobs as well," Chand added.
National women's team skipper Aruna Shahi lauded the efforts of the NVA in providing salaries to the players. Men's team skipper Man Bahadur Shrestha described the day as a historic one. "I will never forget this day. We would like to thank all the well-wishes in the USA for making it happen."
A version of this article appears in the print on September 06, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
