Pragati Nath

Pragati Nath
Personal information
Born (2005-08-30) 30 August 2005
Rukum West, Nepal
HometownNepal
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Volleyball information
PositionSetter
Current clubNew Diamond Youth Sports Club
Number1
Career
YearsTeams
2020 - PresentNew Diamond Youth Sports Club
2024Gandaki Thunders
2024Pokhara Ninjas
National team
2023–presentNepal
International Medal Record
Women's volleyball
Representing  Nepal
CAVA Women's Volleyball Challenge Cup
2023 Kathmandu Team
CAVA Women's Volleyball Nations League
2024 Kathmandu Team

Pragati Nath (Nepali: प्रगति नाथ; born 30 August 2005) is a Nepali professional volleyball player who plays as a setter for New Diamond Youth Sports Club and the Nepal National Women's Volleyball Team.

She made her debut for the Nepal women's national volleyball team in May 23, 2023 during the CAVA Women's Volleyball Challenge Cup held in Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal.[1][2]

Club career

New Diamond Youth Sports Club

Pragati began her playing career at New Diamond Youth Sports Club. In 2019, volleyball coach Kumar Rai visited Rukum to conduct a training program, where he identified Pragati Nath as a promising talent. Since then, she has been a regular member of the club and has captained the team on several occasions.[3]

From Spiker to Setter

Following the departure of national team captain Aruna Shahi, New Diamond Youth Sports Club faced a shortage of a quality setter. Head coach Kumar Rai then made a bold decision to switch Pragati’s position from spiker to setter. This move proved to be a major milestone in her budding career.

At just 16 years of age, Pragati excelled in national-level competitions within two months of beginning her training as a setter, quickly adapting to the role and delivering consistent performances.

In 2021, New Diamond went on to win the Damak Cup in Jhapa and the Karpakeli Pun National Women's Volleyball title in Chitwan. Throughout these triumphs, Pragati ensured the team never felt the absence of Aruna, the former setter, with her confident and impactful performances.[4]

Pokhara Ninjas

Pragati is a Marquee Player of Pokhara Ninjas in the Everest Women's Volleyball League 2025.[5][6]

Early life

Pragati was born on 30 August 2005 in Rukum West to her father, Birjit, and mother, Khimkumari. She began playing volleyball at the age of 14, initially for fun in her village.

During a visit to Rukum for official work, the head coach of New Diamond Youth Sports Club Kumar Rai noticed Pragati’s potential and brought her into the team, where she began formal training. She made her domestic volleyball debut in 2020 through the first edition of the Tiger Cup held in Pokhara.

Although her initial playing time was limited, the experience proved valuable. In the second edition of the Tiger Cup, following the departure of setter Aruna Shahi, Pragati earned regular opportunities. She capitalized on the vacancy at New Diamond with impressive performances, establishing herself as a promising setter for the team.[7]

Personal Achievements

Within a span of just 45 days (December 2025 to January 2026), New Diamond Youth Sports Club competed in three national-level tournaments. In all three competitions, Pragati was named Best Setter of the Tournament, highlighting her consistency and impact at the highest domestic level.

Her Best Setter honors came in the following tournaments:

  • 9th NVA Volleyball Championship 2025 [8]
  • 9th Sherbahadur Khadka Memorial Women's Volleyball Championship 2026 [9]
  • 6th Tiger Cup 2026 [10]

This remarkable run further established Pragati as one of the most reliable and accomplished setters in Nepali women’s volleyball.

References

  1. ^ सम्मानित, कखरा संवाददाता. "प्रगति नाथ गृह जिल्ला रुकुम पश्चिममा नगद सहित सम्मानित". Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  2. ^ Tamang, Dil (2023-05-23). "राष्ट्रिय टोलीमा कविता, प्रगति, पुजा र शान्तिको डेब्यु". हाम्रो खेलकुद. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
  3. ^ "Books before bed: Pragati's key to better sleep". Nepal News. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  4. ^ "न्यू डायमण्डकी संकटमोचक प्रगति". Online Khabar. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
  5. ^ "पोखरा निन्जाजको मार्कीमा प्रगति नाथ, प्रशिक्षकमा रुपेश विष्ट". Online Khabar. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  6. ^ स्पोर्टस, पोखरा (2025-07-17). "'Pragati Nath' Signed as Marquee Player of Pokhara Ninjas - Pokhara Sports". Retrieved 2026-02-19.
  7. ^ GC, Bhupendra (2022-07-12). "सेटर अभावमा जम्दो प्रगतिको प्रभाव". हाम्रो खेलकुद. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
  8. ^ "Help Nepal and New Diamond crowned NVA Volleyball champions". GorakhaPatra. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
  9. ^ "न्यु डायमन्डलाई दोस्रोपटक शेरबहादुर खड्का स्मृति कप". www.ratopati.com (in Nepali). Retrieved 2026-02-19.
  10. ^ "New Diamond lifts title of Tiger Cup Volleyball Competition". Public Service Broadcasting, Radio Nepal. Retrieved 2026-02-19.