Kathmandu, September 24.
Veteran Nepali volleyball coach Jagdish Bhatt, who has contributed more than three decades to the development of Nepali volleyball, has announced that he will no longer be directly involved in training or related activities.
On Wednesday, Bhatt posted a status on Facebook stating that despite enduring repeated neglect for the sake of his profession and the nation, the current situation has left him with no option but to take a break.
He wrote: “For the sake of my profession and the country, I endured repeated neglect and continued with the thought that ‘let’s do something, even if a little.’ But now that condition no longer exists. Therefore, in the coming days, apart from the programs under the National Sports Council—only as long as I remain in my official post—I will not be involved in any other activities. Otherwise, instead of staying idle in a position where I cannot work, I will choose to support volleyball from outside. I want to inform everyone that I will no longer participate in other activities (such as selection or direct involvement).”
Bhatt’s announcement comes in the wake of controversy surrounding the player selection process for Nepal’s men’s volleyball team. At present, three Nepali volleyball teams are preparing for international competitions, where Bhatt had been actively supporting training until recently.
Response from the Federation
Roshan Shrestha, General Secretary of the Nepal Volleyball Association, said that as the chief coach under the National Sports Council (NSC), Bhatt’s comments to the media should be taken as his personal opinion.
He explained, “The player selection was carried out based on the recommendation of a three-member selection committee. Our current priority is to win a medal at the CAVA Nations League, and we urge everyone to support this goal.”
Shrestha further mentioned that he had not personally read Bhatt’s Facebook post.
Bhatt’s Legacy
Jagdish Bhatt is regarded as one of the most successful coaches in Nepali volleyball history. Under his guidance, Nepal’s women’s volleyball team won two AVC Central Zone titles. Likewise, the national team secured a historic bronze medal at the 13th South Asian Games (SAG).
Currently, Bhatt serves as the chief volleyball coach under the National Sports Council as well as the Deputy Director of the Training and Coaching Department. Reflecting on his long career, Bhatt said he always considered his profession as a national duty and dedicated himself to the growth of Nepali volleyball.
