This, however, is not the only time Preeti has done her team proud. The whooping 12 points she scored in the final of the Prime Cup earlier this month that helped her team lift the title, and her 10 points contribution May last year that defended her college title, speak of her heroic deeds.
Her coach and mentor Bikash Shahi says, “Preeti has proved to be a gem. I am confident she will do extremely well in future. There is no stopping her.”
She was until recently the captain of the Junior National Basketball Team and she has lately been promoted to the national team. Her coach links her dramatic success to dedication and hard work she puts in both on and off the court. “In only two years this girl has developed the capacity of an international level player,” he claims.
Preeti, 20, a second-year management student, is seen by many as most promising new star for her part in the Nepali basketball scene. A college-goer, she says the game for her “is like an addiction.” The budding young star is now the hot property in Nepali basketball.
Republica caught up with Preeti to discuss more on her addiction, her lifestyle and the life of a Nepali sportsperson in general.
The following are the excerpts from the interview with Preeti:
Q: How did the addiction to basketball catch on you?
A: The story is a bit quirky. All my school life I was a badminton player. In fact, I participated in many interschool and national level badminton competitions. I hardly ever played basketball back then. After completing my SLC, I decided to try basketball. The decision, you can say, was a spur of the moment, but after I made it into the college basketball team, I got hooked.
Q: Only three years into the game and everyone’s talking about you. How do you feel?
A: I don’t really know. I feel blessed when I think that I have so many well-wishers out there. But, at the same time, I am aware that people have expectations from me and if I let them down it is going to break their hearts. I hope to do my country proud in the upcoming SAF Games in Delhi.
Q: SAF Games is going to be the first international participation for Nepali female basketball team. Is the team prepared for this?
A: The Youth Asian Games is the only international event the female team has participated in. I was not a part of that team. Today, however, we have extremely good players who are willing to make the most of every opportunity that comes their way. The good news for now is that we are likely to be going to Bangalore, India for a youth match later this year. If we go, I’ am confident things will change for good thereafter for everyone will see what we girls are capable of doing. All the team members are putting in rigorous hours of practice for the same purpose. After that, in 2012, the SAF games too will be an opportunity for us.
Q: Isn’t taking academics and sports together like having your feet on two boats?
A: For me studies are as important as sports. If I become a well educated person, in addition to excelling in sports, people will take me and my words more seriously. In our country, the field of sport is not taken seriously. I will definitely change that through my academics and sports. For now, I have a fixed routine for my practice, studies and even for having fun.
Q: So, what is your idea of having fun?
A: I like going to the cinema once in a while. Apart from that, I like going out to nearby places like Kakani or Dhulikhel or even to Dhading. I don’t like Kathmandu these days as the city is too noisy. It is like the screeches of the audience I hear during a match. Well, I obviously can’t complain about the cheers of encouragement from the audience, but outside the court, noise like that is too much to bear.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: Right now I am in college and I need to graduate with flying colors. Winning the upcoming SAF basketball, however, trumps everything at present. It is our first participation and we want everyone to take us seriously.
Q: Anything you want to say to the upcoming female players?
A: One thing we all need to remember is that it’s only hard work that leads to success. Especially, for a game like basketball, where things can change in a matter of two seconds, it is absolutely necessary that you put in your 100 percent effort in practice as well as during the game. Health is another thing players need to be extremely careful about. A balanced diet is a must for energy and stamina to perform better. Female players must make extra effort to change the way the society looks at them and their participation in sports.
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