KABBA Women’s Volleyball Championship Gains FIVB Ranking Status: What Benefits Does Nepal Receive?
The KABBA Women’s Volleyball Championship, scheduled to be held in Nepal from May 21 to 28, will be a globally ranked tournament officially recognized by the FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball). Jitendra Bahadur Chand, President of the Nepal Volleyball Association, announced that the Nepali women’s team winning this championship will qualify for the Asian Cup. Jagdish Bhatt, the head coach of Nepal’s women’s volleyball team, stated that Nepal will be included in the world rankings following this championship.
The Nepal Volleyball Association confirmed that the KABBA Women’s Volleyball Championship, taking place from May 21 to 28 in Nepal, will now be part of the FIVB World Ranking events. During the trophy unveiling ceremony held Sunday in Kathmandu, President Chand explained that although KABBA has hosted various competitions in Nepal before, none were previously recognized for world ranking points. This time, with the championship officially included in the FIVB rankings, the event holds significant importance for Nepal, he said.
“Winning this tournament secures qualification to the Asian Cup and opens the door for greater progress,” Chand explained. “Victory on home soil will brighten the future of the Nepali women’s team. If our team wins the trophy at home, they will earn the opportunity to play in the 2027 Asian Cup. Should they finish among the top six teams there, the path to even higher levels will open.”
“Since this is an FIVB World Ranking tournament, achieving good results will bring many advantages,” Chand added. Last year, Nepal had planned to organize the outdoor KABBA Women’s Nations League at Tudikhel in November. Although that tournament was recognized by FIVB for world ranking, Nepal lost its hosting rights due to the People’s Movement in September 2025. This negatively affected Nepal’s participation in international tournaments.
Subsequently, the tournament was held in Uzbekistan, where only four teams participated, and Nepal did not take part. Those teams currently compete at the Asian level, while Nepal remains limited to local KABBA competitions. Therefore, Nepal is currently not included in the FIVB rankings. However, Jagdish Bhatt, head coach of the Nepali women’s volleyball team, shared that while Nepal is not ranked at present, it will be included in the rankings after this KABBA Women’s Volleyball Championship.
“We are not currently ranked in the world or women’s rankings. Previously, we were ranked 86th in the FIVB, and took 11th place at the 19th Asian Games. Due to a lack of many international competitions in the past, we were not included in the rankings. The People’s Movement had disrupted tournaments planned in Nepal, but now, through the Nepal Volleyball Association’s organization of a ranking tournament, Nepal stands to benefit,” Coach Bhatt explained.
“The tournament was stopped due to the movement, and shifted to Uzbekistan. This time, thanks to the Volleyball Association President’s initiative, the championship is taking place in Nepal as part of the world ranking effort,” he added. “Participation in this tournament equals inclusion in the world rankings. A strong performance could see Nepal reach 50th to 60th place globally.” President Chand emphasized that regularly competing in KABBA and AVC tournaments is essential to secure and improve Nepal’s world ranking, which requires a substantial budget.
“To enter the world rankings, teams must compete in officially ranked events. Currently, the men’s KABBA tournament will be held in Pakistan, while we are hosting the women’s. Participation in AVC events and recognized KABBA tournaments is critical. If we win this championship, I believe Nepal will break into the top 20,” Chand said. He also noted that support from other governments for volleyball makes progression more feasible.