Kazakhstan’s Volleyball Player Kalinova Joins Madhes United

Yevgeniya Kalinova, a 35-year-old spiker from Kazakhstan, is set to play for Madhes United in the inaugural Everest Women's Volleyball League (EWVL), the first franchise volleyball league of its kind in Nepal.

The EWVL, organized by Infinity Dreams, consists of six franchise teams, with Madhes United being the first to recruit an international player. While all teams have previously announced their marquee players and domestic players, Madhes United has now added Kalinova to their roster as part of their foreign player quota.

Kalinova, who also plays for Kazakhstan's national team, brings extensive experience to the squad. Standing 180 cm tall, she has been active in Kazakhstan's domestic leagues since 2008. Her career includes stints with clubs such as Shymkent (2021-2023), Gracia-KZ (2019-2021), and VC Ertis (2008-2013).

Expressing her excitement, Kalinova stated, “I am thrilled to join Madhes United and compete in the first edition of the Everest Women's Volleyball League. I hope for strong support for our team."

Sanjaya Shrestha, the head of operations for Madhes United, welcomed Kalinova, noting that her experience will significantly benefit the team. The team's marquee player is Nepal’s national team spiker, Niruta Thagunna. Other key players include national team members Sangam Mahato and Shantikala Tamang, as well as U-20 players Elisha Manandhar and Ashika Kshetri. Additional team members include Hira KC, Pooja Tharu, and Jasna Mahato.

The EWVL promises to be a landmark event for women’s volleyball in Nepal, with six teams competing at a high level tournament.