ABOUT NEPAL

Pokhara is a lively city in western Nepal, beautifully situated on Phewa Lake at the foot of the Annapurna Himalaya. In and around Pokhara you support our project, which provides sports lessons to children and young people from vulnerable neighbourhoods and surrounding villages. In these areas many children face poverty and a lack of opportunities to be active, giving them limited access to organised, good-quality sports activities.

Although children often get PE at school, many cannot take part in structured sport after school. A lack of facilities, equipment and coaching makes it hard for sport to become a lasting part of their daily lives.

As a sports coach you get the chance to inspire and motivate these children to stay active and develop a healthy lifestyle. By teaching the sport they enjoy most, you contribute not only to their physical health but also to their confidence, discipline and social skills (life skills).

Our projects in Pokhara are supported by local sports students and young coaches. This makes it easier to connect with the children and young people in the programme and creates a great opportunity for cultural exchange both ways. It is also a valuable chance for local young people to practise their English, while you make new friends of your own age in Pokhara.

Pokhara offers an inspiring and varied setting for your stay. The city is known for its impressive nature, relaxed atmosphere and welcoming community. With views of the Himalaya and life around Phewa Lake, Pokhara is a special place where you can not only make an impact but also have an unforgettable experience yourself.

In Pokhara too, poverty is a reality for many families. Although the city is an important tourist centre, many people live in vulnerable circumstances, particularly in the outskirts and surrounding villages. For many children this means they have hardly any access to sports facilities or organised sports activities.

By working with local organisations and schools, you can make a positive difference to these children’s lives. At the same time you learn valuable life lessons yourself and build memories you will carry with you for the rest of your life. Together we can work to break the cycle of poverty and inactivity and contribute to a healthier future with more opportunities for the children of Pokhara.

Sport in Nepal

Sport plays an important role in daily life in Nepal, especially among young people. Despite limited resources, there is a great passion for sport and exercise.

Football is the most popular sport in Nepal and is played everywhere: in the street, in school playgrounds and on open fields. Cricket is quickly gaining popularity, partly thanks to the national team’s growing success. Volleyball is often seen as Nepal’s national sport and is accessible and widespread in both urban and rural areas.

Basketball and athletics are also becoming more popular, especially among young people in cities such as Pokhara. Traditional martial arts and forms of self-defence are part of the country’s cultural and physical traditions.

Thanks to its mountainous landscape, Nepal is known worldwide for trekking, mountaineering and other outdoor sports. In and around Pokhara, activities such as running, hiking and outdoor training are closely woven into daily life. This varied sporting culture reflects both Nepal’s rich traditions and its natural surroundings.

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Experiences

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FOOTBALL COACH

Football is loved all over the world, and in Nepal too the sport plays an important role in the daily lives of many children and young people. In and around Pokhara, football is played with great enthusiasm in school playgrounds, on open fields and in the neighbourhoods. The enthusiasm is huge, but good coaching and structure are often missing.

With the football project in Pokhara you contribute to the grassroots development of football in Nepal. You coach children and young people at local schools and in neighbourhoods with few sporting opportunities. Many participants grow up in challenging circumstances. Sport offers them a positive and safe environment in which they can work on confidence, discipline and teamwork.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

As a volunteer you become part of an enthusiastic team of local coaches and international volunteers in Pokhara. Together you work with schools and local sports initiatives to provide football sessions for children and young people. You run after-school sessions and support regular training on sports pitches in the area.

Football is hugely popular in Nepal, and many children have natural talent and a passion for the game. What is often still missing is knowledge of the rules, tactics and team play. Your role is to bring structure, improve technical skills and help players understand the game better.

With your efforts you contribute to the sustainable development of football in the region. At the same time you help local organisations reach more children and use sport as a tool for personal growth and social connection.

WEEKENDS

At the weekends you are free to make your own plans, but we definitely recommend joining our cultural and adventure trips around Pokhara. These trips are designed to help you get to know Nepal better and always support local communities. Think of visits to mountain villages, temples or nature reserves in the area. These are unique experiences you won’t easily find in travel guides, and they are a valuable addition to your volunteering in Nepal.

BASKETBALL COACH

The basketball project in Pokhara, Nepal focuses on setting up basketball training sessions and creating safe places to play for enthusiastic children and young people in and around local neighbourhoods and schools. Participants are mainly between 8 and 16 years old. Basketball is still developing in Nepal and gets less attention than sports such as football or volleyball. The basic rules and techniques are therefore not always known.

This is exactly where you as a volunteer can make a difference. Your commitment not only helps basketball grow as a sport, it also has a direct and positive impact on the children and young people who take part in the sessions.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

The aim of this project is not to train the next international basketball star. So you don’t need to be an experienced or qualified basketball coach. With a basic knowledge of the game and the enthusiasm to lead training sessions and group activities, you are already of great value. The children are motivated, eager to learn and love learning from you.

Together with our local staff and partners in Pokhara, you organise basketball training sessions, clinics and friendly matches. The sessions focus on basic skills such as dribbling, passing, getting free, positioning and shooting. By combining structure and fun, you build confidence, teamwork and social skills among the participants.

Over time you will also get the opportunity to organise small tournaments and help set up a more permanent basketball structure within the community. There is also room to bring basketball to local schools by running workshops and introductory sessions.

Because basketball is still a relatively small sport in Nepal, we encourage volunteers to combine their basketball activities with other sports projects. That way you get the most out of your experience and gain a broader picture of sport and culture in Nepal.

WEEKENDS

At the weekends you are free to make your own plans, but we definitely recommend joining our cultural and adventure trips around Pokhara. These trips are designed to help you get to know Nepal better and always support local communities. Think of visits to mountain villages, temples or nature reserves in the area. They are unique experiences you won’t easily find in travel guides, and they are a valuable addition to your volunteering in Nepal.

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VOLLEYBALL COACH

Volleyball is also a sport that keeps developing in Nepal. Interest is growing in and around Pokhara, especially among young people. Although Nepal isn’t internationally known as a volleyball country, enthusiasm is high and the sport is played more and more at schools and in neighbourhoods. Volleyball is particularly popular among girls, because it is accessible and needs little equipment.

Local schools and sports initiatives in Pokhara play an important role in the development of volleyball. They organise training sessions, matches and small tournaments, giving both beginners and more advanced players the chance to improve their skills and enjoy sport.

An important part of the growth of volleyball in Nepal is the focus on youth. School programmes and after school activities introduce children and young people to the sport at an early age. Besides being active, they learn important skills such as teamwork, discipline and self confidence.

International partnerships also contribute to the development of volleyball in Nepal. Volunteers from different countries bring new ideas, training methods and inspiration. This helps the local volleyball community develop further and encourages players to get the best out of themselves.

Although volleyball isn’t yet as big everywhere as other sports, the motivation and commitment of the local community in Pokhara are promising. The sport not only contributes to an active lifestyle, it also strengthens connection and team spirit.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

The aim of the volleyball project in Pokhara is to make the sport accessible and attractive to the local population. We do this by actively promoting volleyball in schools. Children and young people who show an interest can join after school volleyball sessions free of charge.

As a volunteer you help run training sessions, explain the rules of the game and organise fun and structured drills. At the moment volleyball is mainly popular among girls, but we also encourage boys to take part. By using sport as a tool, we give children the chance to play a sport that is otherwise often seen as ‘too expensive’ or not accessible.

WEEKENDS

At the weekends you are free to make your own plans, but we definitely recommend joining our cultural and adventure trips around Pokhara. These trips are designed to help you get to know Nepal better and always support local communities. Think of visits to mountain villages, temples or nature reserves in the area. They are unique experiences you won’t easily find in travel guides, and they are a valuable addition to your volunteering in Nepal.

YOUR OWN SPORT

We encourage you to introduce your own sport within our projects as well. This is not only fun but also has a big impact: children get to know new sports and enjoy a wider range of activities. The Power of Sports is happy to support you in setting up and introducing your sport. The possibilities are huge and where needed we also help financially to build this sport up in a sustainable way.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

As a volunteer in Pokhara, Nepal, you lead sports sessions for children and young people. Many children have talent and enthusiasm but lack structure, rules and good coaching. Thanks to your commitment they not only learn to understand the sport better, they also develop discipline, teamwork and self confidence.

You won’t be on your own: you’ll be supported by other volunteers and our local staff and partners. Together you make sure the sessions are fun, safe and educational.

The sessions take place five days a week at local schools and sports grounds in and around Pokhara. These schools draw children from different neighbourhoods but often have limited sports facilities and little physical education. Your arrival and commitment are therefore hugely appreciated. You will quickly become a familiar face in the community and easily make contact with local people.

Every day you coach for about three hours, working with children between 6 and 13 years old. The activities are active and energetic, but there is plenty of free time left to explore Pokhara, relax by Phewa Lake or, for example, take Nepali language lessons.

WEEKENDS

At the weekends you are free to go off on your own, but we definitely recommend joining our cultural and adventure trips. These trips let you experience Nepal in a unique way and always benefit local communities. Think of visits to mountain villages, temples or nature reserves around Pokhara. These are experiences you won’t find in standard travel guides, and they are a special part of your volunteering in Nepal.

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The accommodation is in Pokhara-7, Parsyang, close to Smata Chowk. It is conveniently located, with the Jem Shopping Complex, bakeries, cafés and good local restaurants within walking distance.
 
The house has two spacious bedrooms on both the first and second floor, plus a small extra room on the roof. There are three toilets and bathrooms in total.
 
One of the highlights of the accommodation is the two balconies, which offer a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the surroundings. In good weather you can also enjoy a stunning view of the Annapurna range from the roof and from the house.
 
The house has a kitchen and dining area, as well as comfortable communal areas on both the first and second floor. These shared spaces are ideal for group meetings, lessons and getting together socially. The house is equipped with sofas, dining tables, a washing machine and a reliable water supply.
 
Fast wifi is available 24 hours a day throughout the house, which is handy for work, study, keeping in touch and relaxing. Every bedroom and the living areas have fans to keep things comfortable.

Accommodation

ARRIVAL dates

We can pick up volunteers in Kathmandu at any time.

WHY THE POWER OF SPORTS

  • No registration fee and a no-obligation introductory call.
  • The project in Nepal, ‘Khelkhud Ko Urja’ (The Power of Sports in Nepali), was set up by ourselves.
  • Our volunteering abroad is affordable, especially considering what you get for it.
  • As a travel organisation that focuses entirely on social sports trips.
  • We tell you an honest story and assess whether you are suited to the project.
  • Our programmes are run responsibly and have a proven positive impact.
  • All our staff know our programmes abroad well.
  • We offer good personal support, both in the UK and abroad.
  • We are founders and members of the Volunteer Aware quality mark. With this we want to underline that our projects are rooted in a genuine commitment to a worthwhile cause.

How experienced do I need to be to volunteer?

None of our projects require you to hold certificates or to have studied sport. As a volunteer you have a supporting role and you will never be on your own. We are not necessarily looking for Nepal’s next top athlete; we want to help children from all social backgrounds develop socially and build life skills through sport. You give the next generation the chance to play sport in a fun and organised environment. So whatever your background and experience, you can be sure you’ll make a positive contribution by volunteering as a coach in Nepal.

What is important is that you have a basic knowledge of the rules of the sport and above all show lots of enthusiasm. Speaking Nepali is not a requirement either. You can choose to take Nepali lessons, but luckily everyone speaks the language of sport!

I am vegetarian. Will my dietary needs be taken into account?

If you let us know in advance that you are vegetarian, they can take this into account in Nepal.

Can I only coach football, basketball and volleyball?
No, in principle you can coach almost any sport. The project in Nepal is still in its early days, so we are busy expanding our programmes. A great way to leave an impact might be to introduce a new sport!

What do my Nepali lessons look like?
The Nepali lessons take place at our location every day after dinner. They are taught by a professional teacher and add up to 20 hours in total. If you would like extra lessons, let us know and we can arrange this for you.

What do I need to think about before going abroad?

After our no-obligation conversation, in which we already cover a lot, we also send you the welcome pack. It sets out in detail everything you need to think about, what to bring, what to watch out for and so on.

How many other people will I be volunteering with?

There are always other interns and volunteers at the accommodation in Nepal. The group size varies between 5 and 15. Not everyone comes from the UK; they come from other countries too. You can contact us to ask how many others will be there during your stay. We also set up a group chat with other participants travelling in the same period, so you can get to know each other beforehand.

Contact - The Power of Sports

Niraj Adhikari

My name is Niraj Adhikari and I come from Pokhara, in the Kaski district of Nepal. I finished secondary school with English as my main subject.

I am a big sports fan and I have also worked as a trekking guide in Nepal for five years. I guide tourists from all over the world, which has helped me communicate well, be flexible and deal with different cultures. I think it is important that people feel welcome and safe, and I always do my best to help others as well as I can.

I speak and write English and Hindi fluently. People describe me as friendly, reliable and professional. I enjoy working in a team and I value honesty and respect highly.

A four-week stay costs €850, including:

  • Lovely accommodation.
  • Airport/train station pick-up and drop-off Pokhara
  • Transport to the projects.
  • Breakfast and lunch.
  • Nepali language lessons
  • Introduction and (historical) tour on arrival.
  • Free The Power of Sports shirt before you leave.
  • A dedicated coordinator.
  • Regular social events and shared activities with other volunteers and interns.
  • Visa advice and support.
  • Access to the group chat with all the other volunteers and interns travelling at the same time.
  • Contact details of your coordinator so you can get acquainted beforehand



    Each extra week costs €180
Volunteering Nepal - The Power of Sports
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