We all carry different stories with us and every great story has a deep struggle, number of sacrifices and scars from the wounds it was created with. We need to see the different sides of the world and admire the actual heroes.

We have been introduced to Miss Sadina Shrestha as the face of women basketball, a captain and a great sportsperson but we also have to acknowledge that it took her a lot to get there. She had her share of struggles and that’s how the making of the captain of the Women's Basketball Team began. We recently had Sadina Shrestha share her story about her life journey and learn about her beyond the captaincy she holds and what she is known for. We present a different side of her to mark her way to the fame.

 

  1. Where does your humble story begin?

I have always been involved in sports since I was a kid. And the fact that my elder sister was a National Football player, it added up to my family having no restrictions on joining the same field. I had full family support from the start which also encouraged me to start this journey. I started with Football as well but I failed during the selection round which made me choose basketball and dedicate myself to it. I used to play games in the courts around my house, in my school and wherever I could. During those times, there were mostly male players which in my opinion made us stronger and competitive as well.

  1. Beyond captaincy and sportsmanship, who is Sadina Shrestha?

I would say Sadina Shrestha is a teacher and a traveler. I love trekking, visiting lakes, beaches and anywhere I find a chance to. I would even consider making a living out of travelling.

I am a teacher because I help students learn, gain skills and improve. My profession is to teach as a coach and I always love interacting with young minds. I love to mold them into a skilled person through the passion they have.

  1. What inspired you to become a sports-person? Can you please share your inspirations with our audience? 

My elder sister was definitely the one who inspired me to become a sports person. She was a leader and she still is. She was a national level football player and the only one from Lalitpur at her time. She always was there for her family and football. Everyone used to look up to her and take her as a role model, I obviously did the same. I was inspired by her enthusiasm and passion for sports and wanted to be like her. I will always consider her as my biggest inspiration.

  1. Sports is a two sided fair- it's either a win or a loss? How do you take the loss and celebrate a win? 

Don’t cry when you lose and don’t get overwhelmed by the win is the motto I live by. I always play the game to win, even when the opponent is one of the strongest teams. The thought of loss never crossed my mind before i started the game. And obviously I got hurt when we lost but I always took that as a way to train myself more and accepted the fact that the other team was on the better side today. But that would be for just today and tomorrow we will be better than them. I count the failures as experiences more than disappointments.

 

Talking about the win, celebration is always there but I also preserve them as memories. The only legacy I will leave in my field is the win I bring and for that I always train myself the best I can. I have my share of pain but that doesn’t even matter when we win the game. During the win my team comes first and nothing else matters. I credit my team and always appreciate and thank them for giving their best.

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase, “Nepali women in sports”?

“Nepali Women in sports” sounds like a deep term. The given infrastructure, norms of society and freedom from family generally doesn’t encourage the term very well. But if effort is made for improvement, women can lead international games. Not just basketball but swimming, football, volleyball and what not. The hidden potential in them should have a way to let itself out. I hope the term “Nepali Women in Sports” soon sounds like something normal.

 

  1. Would you like to share your favorite memory on the court with our audience?

I have a number of favorite memories but if i have to pick one out of them, i would choose the semi-final of 13th South Asian Games because it was women’s first participation and we claimed a silver medal that day. I mark it as my favorite cause it was really tough, I tried and gave my best but the game was not in my favor that day. However, the team stepped up and brought good results. It made me feel even better thinking how unified the team is and has set a great example for anyone behind us.

  1. Even today sports is discouraged as a career by many parents. In your opinion, what is required to change this mentality? 

I would like to slightly disagree with the statement because today’s generation is busy playing mobile games and staying indoors. Parents continuously try to get them on some outdoor sports activities. Talking about youth in urban areas, as more people are getting literate, the parents motivate them to be involved in sports. But, yes there are parts where sports is rejected because of lack of understanding and a question for better living. Mentality cannot be expected to change in a short time but we can obviously increase the level and respect for sports. We need market sports, branding of the products and overall development of the sports industry. A feeling of security for the livelihood of a sportsperson should be kept in mind as well.

 

  1. You have been giving an excellent performance every time you have represented. Can we know more about the goals you have set for yourself and your future plans?

Thank you for the appreciation. I have goals that have proved to be both unrealistic and realistic in many ways. But for now, I am limiting my goals to the near future only. I would say my only goal for now is to win a gold medal in the South Asian Games. I would love to see me and my team defeating the strongest teams and celebrating the win.

For my future plans, I have always thought of building an indoor basketball stadium. Not a court but a stadium. That shall add value to the players and I want anyone who plans on starting their basketball journey to make the stadium game their first goal to start off with.

 

  1. Last but not the least, a few words of encouragement for aspiring sportspeople? 

Don’t be scared to ask for help, that may be related to the fundamentals or the tricks or anything else. Don’t get too comfortable, try to find a way to grow in anything and everything. Only coming out of your comfort zone will let you explore the world beyond our expectations. Maintain your pace, challenge yourself and strive for your goals. Conviction is King, you need to believe in yourself and your abilities and that is the only way you can be better. Last but not the least, the only legacy you can leave behind is the impact you’ve made in other people’s life. You need to inspire people around you not only by words but actions as well. Motivation doesn’t always come from someone else but it rises within you too. Sports makes you physically strong and the experiences in it makes you mentally strong. 

A Rapid fire with Sadina Shrestha

  1. If you could trade your jersey with one player, who would it be? 
    Michael Jordan
  2. The next stop in your travel bucket list?
    Maldives for SAFF championship (if there were no travel restrictions)
  3. If not a sportsperson, who would you be? 
    I have never thought about it.
  4. What is your favorite pastime activity while you stay at home? 
    Binging K-dramas
  5. What is one thing you can’t leave your home without? 
    A pair of slides
  6. If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
    Chicken
  7. What would you prefer: Traditional Momo without broth or barbeque without sauce ?
    Traditional Momo without broth.
  8. What advice would you like to give your younger self?
    Learn to love yourself.
  9. Something most people don’t know about you?
    I participated in Miss teen.
  10. Any other game you’re really good at?
    Football