Waiting for Another Milestone –Koplia

The state of volleyball in Nepal has undergone significant changes in recent times. The popularity of this sport among the general public has increased. From the perspective of women’s empowerment, the number of female players who have become recognized as celebrities in society has been rising. What once saw only one or two competitions for women has now reached the level of franchise leagues.

For Kopila Upreti, who made her mark as the quick attacker of Nepal’s national volleyball team for a long time, this is a different kind of experience. She holds the record for being the first Nepali woman to complete the Level Three volleyball coaching course. She has already served as the assistant coach of the national team as well.

Having succeeded in both indoor volleyball and beach volleyball as a player—something only a few athletes have achieved—there are many stories of struggle behind her accomplishments.

Around two decades ago, it was certainly not as easy for Nepali women to remain active in sports as it is today. Facing many difficulties, she remained dedicated to volleyball, and two years ago, with support from the Netherlands Volleyball Association, she traveled there to complete the Level Three course. Earlier, she had completed the Level Two course in Nepal with outstanding results.

Recently, her team, Madhes United, could not perform as expected in the Everest Volleyball League held in Kathmandu. After the league began, political circumstances in Nepal raised questions about its continuity.

Many teams were forced to send their foreign players back. As a result, the initial structure of multiple teams fell apart. Despite this, the franchises agreed to support the organizers to complete the league at any cost, and Madhes United was among them.

According to Kopila, the Everest Volleyball League and the roles played by individuals like Snevi Chapagain have significantly strengthened the agenda of women’s empowerment through volleyball in Nepal.

Nepal is a country with diverse geographical, social, and cultural conditions. The problems here are numerous. A large portion of society still struggles with hunger and disease. For this reason, Kopila is equally interested in issues related to sports and humanitarian concerns. Alongside this, her plan to establish a professional training center in Nepal will undoubtedly find meaning. All athletes will certainly extend goodwill toward her aspiration.