Under the captainship of Aruna Shahi, the Nepal Women’s volleyball team has won two titles in the AVC Senior Women’s Central Zone, a historic silver medal in the South Asian Games, a silver medal in the CAVA Women’s Volleyball Nations League and a bronze medal in the CAVA Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup.
Moreover, under the leadership of Shahi, 29, Nepal debuted in the 19th Asian Games in China in March. Similarly, in August, Nepal achieved a historical victory against India during the CAVA Women’s Nations League, which was held in Nepal.
The continuous achievements
Nepal’s women’s volleyball team has frequently achieved international success since Aruna Shahi became its captain. She does not just lead the game inside the court; she is also responsible for making the team move as a setter.
Shahi, who is leading the women’s volleyball team in its golden era, has remarkable support from her teammates. In recent times Nepal has played several international matches.
Shahi is not involved with any departmental team. Although she received offers to play for one, she declined.
Once Shahi used to play along with popular players like Siphora Gurung, Manju Gurung and Parikshya Gurung from Gyanu Baba Academy. Currently, the Gandaki teams are not as similar as they used to be.
In the latest edition of the NVA League, Shahi played for Butwal-based Everest Volleyball Club. Before that, she used to play for New Diamond Club, one of the most popular clubs in the domestic volleyball scene.
Leading the team
In 2019, during the AVC Central Zone Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship, held in Bangladesh, Shahi became captain for the first time. Nepal won the championship undefeated. It was her first championship after being a captain.
At that time, over a dozen players, including the then-captain, left the team, and due to her seniority, Shahi got the opportunity to lead the team.
Initially, Aruna Shahi was a spiker. She was also an all-rounder. After Binita Budhathoki, setter and captain, was not selected for the team, the team had a crisis of setter. Then Aruna Shahi got an opportunity to be a setter and lead the team. She faced challenges while getting two new roles at the same time. However, she overcame it with proper leadership and healthy coordination with her teammates.
Shahi made her debut in the national team in 2013 during the friendly match against Maldives, held in Kathmandu. Since then she has always been selected for the team.
Shahi, a native of Myagdi, started her career by playing in district-level matches, representing the then-Far-Western team. Later, she also became the captain of Gandaki Province and played in some tournaments.
Besides tournaments, Shahi has also won awards for her leadership and contribution to Nepal’s volleyball.
