Pratikshya Magar: The youngest national basketball player

Pratikshya Magar, the youngest national player in Nepal women basketball team, was a kid when she was introduced to the sport.

 “Like other girls I was never into makeup and fashion, sports was more my forte and whenever there was sports activities or competition taking place even at school, I always made sure I was a part of it," says Magar.

Magar was a star player from the very beginning of her basketball journey. She first started playing basketball when she was in grade 6 at Valley Public School. "I loved all the sports but when I started playing basketball I felt like it was meant to happen," Magar adds.

Her first international game representing the country was in 2017 FIBA U-16 women’s Asian championship held in Karnataka, India. She was the team captain.

While Nepal was not able to win in that championship but Magar played great game averaging 11.7 points, 16 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. “It was the happiest moment of my life when I got listed in U-16 national women team. I was proud of myself as it felt like my hard work finally got paid,” exclaims Magar.

And like it is said you do not lose you learn, women basketball team Nepal bagged silver medal in 2019 South Asian games.

“I feel really blessed and honored to get an opportunity to representation my nation. When I got selected for the team Nepal for south Asian games I felt a pressure to perform better and I knew that I had to work even harder," Magar explains.

Basketball is not a popular sport in Nepal and things are yet to get better. Magar says, "Everybody thinks playing basketball is not a good career choice. It can be only be a hobby or interest.

Talking about her own experience Magar adds how there is not enough support from the government and the trainings the players get are also not enough.

"Trainings and camps are held only when the tournament is near. All the players have to rely on their family or get other jobs just to survive as a player in Nepal. So my suggestion to all the future basketball players in Nepal is do not just play basketball, focus on your studies as well. While basketball gives you so much happiness, it doesn’t support you financially,” says Magar.