Sunita Shahi, an alumni of WE United’s WE Coach program 2021, is from Surkhet, Nepal. WE Coach is one of the four impact areas of WE United, that uses football as a platform to empower young women to become leaders and active participants in their local communities.
Raised by a single mother, Sunita studied at Kopila Valley School in Surkhet from grade 3 to 12, where she discovered her passion for sports. She fondly recalls how she would finish her schoolwork as quickly as possible just to spend a few extra minutes on the field.
After graduating from the WE Coach program, Sunita began teaching younger children at Kopila Valley School. She became part of the Equal Play Effect – Asia and the Pacific program as a coach at WE United in 2023 and has been training young girls in Salyan for over a year since January 2024, helping them build confidence and inspiring change in her community.
Sunita’s journey in sports began when she played in an inter-house football competition—at her school. From then on, there was no turning back. She credits her school environment for shaping her path. “Growing up in a safe and healthy space gave me the confidence to explore my potential,” she shares.
However, Sunita’s path was not without challenges. Her mother was initially hesitant about her playing sports, fearing injuries. She often came home with scraped knees, which led her mother to discourage her from continuing. Yet, Sunita found support from her brother and sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law always attended her matches and encouraged her passion for sports, while her brother became her pillar of strength. He was the one who convinced their mother to support Sunita’s love for the game. Their encouragement gave her the strength to keep going. “I always felt proud when others cheered me on,” she says, reflecting on her early playing days.
Sunita’s dedication led her to compete in the 7th National Games in 2017 in football and expand her achievements by representing Karnali Province in table tennis at the 9th National Games in 2022.
Becoming a Coach
While in high school, Sunita discovered WE United’s WE Coach Program in 2021. Supported by her brother and teachers at her school she applied for the WE Coach program, where her journey as a coach began. Sunita says she knew how to play, but she lacked confidence in leading. Through the program, she learned leadership skills, how to create safe spaces for girls, and how to empower and motivate others.
Inspired by her learning, she returned to her school, Kopila Valley, and started training young girls. She recalls leading her first team in the WE Coach Football Tournament. Even though her team didn’t win the competition, she was motivated by the love and support she received from others. She shares a moment when she was given the Sportswomanship medal by one of the players.
WE United considers fair play and sportswomanship to be fundamental to creating and maintaining a safe, positive, caring, and competitive environment for women’s participation in sport. Sportswomanship medals are given to those who display behaviors that promote Respect, Fairness, Civility (caring about others), Honesty, and Responsibility for actions, in WE United’s programs.
After high school, Sunita moved to Salyan for work, where she faced new challenges. Though she was eager to coach young girls, the schools were far apart, and transportation was limited. Initially, she felt uncertain about coaching in an unfamiliar setting. However, with the support and guidance of WE United’s Program Director and WE Coach alumni, Silika Shakya, she continued coaching. She shares that she is thankful for the support WE United has provided in her coaching journey. Sunita was part of the Equal Play Effect program where she got a chance to participate in different workshops and courses, in order to develop as a better coach, along with five other coaches from WE United and several others from six different countries. Over time, her presence in Salyan has transformed the community’s perspectives. Parents who once hesitated to let their daughters play now express gratitude for the confidence and voice Sunita has brought to their children. Sunita feels emotional and proud seeing how her effort has brought changes in people’s lives.
Sunita’s Dream
Sunita envisions a future where the girls she coaches become leaders themselves. She dreams of a time when, even in her absence, they will have the skills, confidence, and determination to guide their peers and empower the next generation. Sunita’s journey is proof that sports can be a powerful tool for change, and through her, many young girls are finding their voices and breaking barriers.
Sunita is currently working at a bank in Salyan, Nepal. Alongside her job, she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies (BBS), at Surkhet Model Campus. In her free time, she coaches around 28 young girls in her community in Salyan and participates in various training programs through her company to gain experience in the banking sector.
