Manju Gurung is the vice captain of Nepal’s national volleyball team. Her journey to professional volleyball began at 9 when she caught the attention of her coach. Since then she has represented Nepal in various national and international tournaments.
She was part of the team that won bronze medal for Nepal in the 12th South Asian Games held in India. She was even awarded the ‘Kaski player of the year’ in 2015. She is now the brand ambassador for Vibor Society Development Bank, Pokhara.
In conversation with Republica’s Prasansha Rimal she talks about her experience as a national volleyball player and an employee of a bank.
How difficult is it to switch your role as a national volleyball player to a bank employee?
It is not that difficult. Actually, I got this job as an honor by the bank. During my games I get to take leave. If I have a training scheduled during the day, I can work in the morning and spend the day training for the match. My colleagues and superiors are very supportive and understanding, so it’s not difficult to manage my schedule.
Various corporate houses have been offering jobs to national players. Do you think this has improved the lifestyle of Nepali players?
Not many players in Nepal have gotten the opportunity that I have. This has certainly supported me. But for anyone who doesn’t have a job, it’s difficult to survive by just being a sportsperson. We don’t get paid just because we play for the national team.
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Is it possible to continue career both as a sportsperson and a bank employee?
Yes, I think it is possible to continue you career both as a sportsperson and a bank employee. But you need support from your colleagues and superiors. I heard from a friend that she was offered a job but then the organization did not cooperate and so she had to leave that job so she could get back to her game. You need to be able to focus on a particular job you are doing at the moment if you want to maintain a balance between two jobs.
Any words of wisdom for aspiring athletes who dream of playing for the national teams?
I would encourage them to come into this field. This sector has improved over the years and has been offering a lot of opportunities to deserving sportsperson. This field offers both respect and wealth if you work hard.
What does it take to succeed in sports?
I started my journey from a very young age to be able to reach the professional levels. You need to have passion for the sport you are playing and you need to able to look beyond the physical pain that you go through during trainings. You can’t dream of being a great player if you don’t have the determination and focus.
