In 2016, when Kabita Bhatta came across a surprising offer—to play volleyball for a departmental club—she declined it.

Bhatta was born and raised in Dadeldhura in far-western Nepal. Her childhood and adolescent days followed the familiar rhythm of attending school and assisting her mother with household chores. During holidays, she would herd cattle and assist her parents in their farm.

Bhatta used to participate in the school’s athletic events, quiz competitions and dances. But volleyball was completely new for her.

The offer came after she completed her School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations when she was gearing up to enrol in a technical field, potentially nursing, for higher studies.

“Since I had never played volleyball, I declined the offer at first,” Bhatta, now a national player, told the Post recently. She reckons that she was offered training due to her height. She was then 5 feet and 5 inches tall.

“When I told my mother about the offer, she neither said no nor yes,” Bhatta said. “When I was told to try for a couple of months, I decided to give it a shot.”

Bhatta’s father accompanied her on her first tour outside her home. “He dropped me at the training centre [at the Army Club in Kathmandu], gathered details of my stay and facilities, and left,” Bhatta remembers.

Starting with the basics

With the hands that had never touched volleyball, Bhatta entered the Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC). “Jagdish sir was then in charge of the Army,” she said. “He and the club taught me the basics for two years while allowing me to focus on my studies and complete intermediate-level education.”

Jagdish Prasad Bhatta is currently the head coach of the Nepali women’s national volleyball team. As she was new then, Bhatta did not get sufficient chances to play in games.

But within a couple of months, Bhatta started enjoying the game. She was trained to be a middle blocker, again due to her height, which is now around 5 feet and 10 inches.

However, in 2018, Bhatta joined the departmental opponent, the Armed Police Force (APF) Club. But she still did not get a lot of chances to play during games.

It was only in 2022 when Bhatta was included in the main set. “I was in APF’s main squad for the 9th National Games, which we won,” Bhatta shared. “For a girl who was new to volleyball, this boosted my confidence and love towards the sport.”

The next year, Bhatta made it to the national team. She debuted for Nepal during the 2023 CAVA Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup.

“I had already missed two chances to make it to the national team. Thus, when I finally made it there, I was delighted,” Bhatta said.

Bhatta recently won silver with APF in the 8th KNP Nerolac National Women’s Volleyball Tournament that concluded last week. APF lost to Nepal Police Club in the final.

‘Volleyball found me’

Bhatta says she never sought to be a volleyball player, not even in her “wildest dreams.” But she does not feel sad about her decision to take up the sport. “I am happy that volleyball found me,” she says.

Bhatta adds the sport has given her a lot over the years. “I might not have seen Kathmandu yet if I were not a volleyball player,” she says. “The ball also took me abroad. I am an example in my district, and my family is proud of me.”

She goes on, “If there were no volleyball, I might have gotten married and would currently be busy with family chores.”

Now she is happy to jump and block the spikes of the opponents to earn points for her team. “It is a tough job to be the first line of defence,” she says. “But it is a great honour to help your team from the front.”

As she lacked even the basic knowledge about volleyball, Bhatta started out learning from better players.

“I always look at better players closely and copy their moves and playing style,” she says.

She also watches videos of volleyball games outside Nepal. She cites the Turkish middle blocker Zehra Gunes as an inspiration. “There are also other players who I follow,” Bhatta says. “I try learning their skills and matching their level.”

Bhatta adds that she feels lucky to have made it to the national team in a short time. “Now I want to be a great player,” she says.

Bhatta’s dedication to the sport has already earned her accolades. She received the People’s Choice Award, the most prestigious one, in the previous edition of the NSJF Pulsar Sports Award last year.

“My dream now is to keep winning with my club and country,” Bhatta says.

Bhatta adds that now she might not be able to give up volleyball even if she wanted to. “Volleyball has entered my blood cells,” she says. “I love this sport. I do not see myself leaving this lovely game.”