Himshaakti Foundation

Raising Karnali
2025-12-09 - 2026-02-05 | Karnali, Surkhet, Karnali, Nepal
Raising Karnali is a two-month transformative initiative dedicated to empowering girls across all 10 districts of Karnali Province. Through this project, our team will engage directly with communities, selecting 20 girls from each district—reaching 200 girls in total—and equipping them with opportunities to grow, lead, and succeed.
Our program focuses on three core areas:

Sports development (with a special emphasis on football)

Education

Leadership training

Our goal is to establish 10 women’s football teams—one in each district—strengthening the foundation of women’s sports throughout the province. To further build local leadership, we will award 10 scholarships for promising girls—one from each district—to pursue the D-License Coaching Course, helping them become future women coaches and role models in their communities.
Beyond training and development, Raising Karnali aims to uncover and understand the social, cultural, and economic barriers that restrict the progress of girls and women. By working closely with families, schools, and local stakeholders, we seek to identify long-term, sustainable solutions that create lasting change.
As a foundation committed to empowering women and girls across Nepal, we are beginning our journey in one of the country’s most marginalized provinces—with the vision of expanding our programs nationwide in the years ahead.
During the project, we will distribute:

Sports equipment for all 200 participants

Educational materials to support their academic advancement

Karnali Women Cup: A Historic Step for Women’s Sports in the Region
2025-12-04 - 2026-01-15 | Surkhet, Surkhet, Surkhet, Karnali, 21700, Nepal
The Karnali Women Cup marks a historic milestone for both Karnali Province and women’s football in Nepal. For the very first time, Surkhet, the capital of Karnali, will host a large-scale women’s football tournament that brings together talent, energy, and passion from across the region. This event represents much more than a competition—it is a symbol of progress, empowerment, and the growing recognition of female athletes in Nepal.
A Historic First for Karnali
Until recently, forming even a single women’s football team in Karnali was extremely challenging. Limited resources, lack of training opportunities, and social barriers often kept girls away from sports. Despite these obstacles, women athletes continued to show interest, and their determination has finally paved the way for something much bigger.
The Karnali Women Cup aims to bring together more than 15 women’s football teams from different districts of the province—a remarkable achievement that reflects the changing mindset of communities and the rising popularity of women’s sports.
A Platform for Emerging Athletes
The tournament is designed to give female players the platform they have long deserved. Many talented girls in the region rarely get the chance to compete, showcase their skills, or receive proper coaching. This event creates opportunities for:

Exposure to competitive matches

Interacting with professional coaches and trainers

Building confidence and teamwork skills

Recognizing hidden talent from remote areas

For many of these players, the Karnali Women Cup may be their first major tournament experience, opening doors to district-level, provincial-level, and even national-level football.
Support from National Brands and Partners
To ensure the tournament’s success, national brands, organizations, and supporters will be involved in the event. Their participation will help:

Provide high-quality sports equipment

Improve training and coaching facilities

Offer sponsorships and awards

Raise awareness about women’s sports

Strengthen the event’s visibility across Nepal

The involvement of these partners shows that women’s football is gaining respect and recognition, encouraging more girls to participate in sports without hesitation.
Celebrating Women’s Sports in Karnali
The Karnali Women Cup is not just a competition—it is a celebration of courage, progress, and change. It sends a strong message that girls belong in sports just as much as boys do. By hosting this event in Surkhet, the province is taking a bold step toward promoting equality in athletics and breaking old stereotypes that limited women’s participation.
The tournament also brings communities together. Families, schools, youth clubs, and local governments will play an important role in cheering for the players and valuing their efforts. This collective support helps create a positive environment where female athletes feel respected and encouraged.
A Future of Opportunity
The long-term vision of the Karnali Women Cup goes beyond a single event. It hopes to:

Inspire more girls to take up football

Encourage investment in sports infrastructure

Build stronger women’s teams at the district and provincial level

Motivate young athletes to dream big

Strengthen the identity of Karnali as a hub for women’s football

By giving women equal space in sports, the province is nurturing future leaders, role models, and champions.
