Kopila and Nima, who were invited by Emin Zi Gulan Club, will leave for the Maldives on Saturday to play for the club in the national level tournament scheduled for September 25 to October 7, according to Nepali volleyball coach Kapil Kishor Shrestha. He who will also accompany the players to the Maldives in capacity of the club's coach.Shrestha, who has worked as the coach of Nepal's national volleyball team, said that it was a great opportunity for Nepali players to play for foreign clubs.
"They invited our players after being impressed by their performance and this opportunity will help the players improve their level and morale," said Shrestha, who added that the journey will also open doors for other foreign clubs to invite more Nepali players in the future.
"This is a very good opportunity for us as this will also encourage the exchange programs between the two countries. Our players have less international exposure and this event will help them gain international experience as well as financial benefit," added coach Shrestha.
The club has promised to provide US$ 500 each to Kopila and Nima. "The club has also discussed about payment to players. However, playing in the Maldives itself is a better opportunity than the financial aspect. They said that they will provide US$ 500 to each of the players," informed Shrestha.
According to Nima, the club will also bear the airfare and provide hotel facilities.
Kopila is one of the most successful Nepali volleyball players and a member of the women's national team that won bronze medal during the 10th South Asian Games held in Sri Lanka in 2006. It was the first international medal for Nepal in women's volleyball.
Kopila, who started playing for Nepal Police Club seven years ago, is a quicker and the main blocker of the national team. She also helped Nepal win silver medal in the First South Asian Women's Invitational Volleyball Championship held in Kathmandu last year.
"Playing in the Maldives is a big opportunity for me. And getting this opportunity to play abroad will certainly boost my morale," said Kopila.
Spiker Nima was also a member of the Nepali team during the 10th SAG. Nima, who started playing from Jawalakhel Volleyball Training Center, played for the Police Club for three years and then spent four years with APF Club before recently joining another departmental team Tribhuvan Army Club.
"This opportunity will help other Nepali players in the coming days as well," said Nima, adding, "This is a new beginning and will be helpful for improving the level of Nepali volleyball."
Altogether eight clubs will take part in the event and every club will be allowed to recruit two foreign players, according to coach Shrestha.
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