Meet Ranjita Shakya, or as everyone fondly calls her, Razeta, one of the coaches of the WE United Academy in Kathmandu. Razeta’s journey with WE United goes back to the very beginning. She played in the first WE United Annual Futsal Tournament in 2014 and has been part of the WE United family ever since, from participating as a player to becoming a coach, being a mentor and making many meaningful impacts along the way.
Her love for football began with casual games with her friends. What started as fun soon turned into a passion. Razeta competed in numerous school tournaments, including the Coca-Cola Cup, where victories made her believe that football could be more than just a game. One of her most memorable tournaments was when she represented Kathmandu district in Rautahat, where her team won the competition and she earned a spot in the U14 National closed Camp.
In the early days, Razeta faced many challenges. She didn’t have proper football gear and often played barefoot in Sano Gaucharan Football Field in Kathmandu. There were few training opportunities, very few facilities for girls, and even fewer opportunities to showcase their talent. “People thought football was only for boys,” she recalls, noting how difficult it was for women in sports.
Her parents weren’t initially supportive and would scold her for spending money on playing football. But as Razeta began bringing home medals and trophies, they slowly began supporting her and grew proud of her accomplishments. She credits her biggest inspiration, her sister, Radhika Shakya, a FIFA referee who has always supported Razeta to work hard and prove herself through actions.
Representing Nepal on an International Stage
Razeta has had the opportunity to represent Nepal internationally. She played in the Slum Soccer event in India, “We played with different rules, adapted to new environments, and I even taught a bit of Nepali to other participants,” she says of that experience. Later, she took part in a cultural exchange program in Tanzania through Go Sports Nepal, where she saw firsthand how sport can connect people across cultures. These experiences helped her grow as a person and as a player.
Coaching – A New Journey
Razeta’s coaching career began through WE United’s WE Coach Program in 2019. Initially shy and unsure of how to communicate, Razeta struggled with confidence despite her deep understanding of the game. “I was constantly worried—how do I sound? How do I look when demonstrating drills? Will the players take me seriously?”
Through WE Coach Nepal and the Equal Play Effect program, she gained not only technical skills but also how to use football as a tool for education and empowerment. “Equal Play Effect taught me how to use football to promote education, create safe spaces, and build leadership in girls. It made me a better coach and a better organizer,” says Razeta.
As a coach, she quickly learned the difference between playing and coaching. As a player, you follow instructions; as a coach, you’re responsible for creating sessions, adapting to players’ needs, and ensuring everyone’s growth. It was a challenging transition, especially as the only woman among experienced male coaches. “At first, I felt like I didn’t belong,” she admits. “But the support of those who believed in me kept me going.”
Razeta has led two teams in the 8th and 9th Annual Women’s Futsal Tournament, organized by The WE United Project. She has also been a part of WE United’s Company Coaching Program where she co-led football training sessions for women in a local tech-company to develop teamwork, communication, physical strength, confidence and become leaders in their workspace. She recently completed her Asian Football Confederation(AFC)“C” License and dreams of earning all the AFC licenses. She is the first coach from our team to achieve this milestone, and she is determined to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Razeta’s Plan for the Future
Today, Razeta coaches at three different academies, including WE United Academy, and leads the Football for Future project with Kathmandu Kickers, a youth-focused football academy based in Kathmandu, Nepal. As one of the lead coaches of the program, she is traveling across seven provinces in Nepal to inspire young girls and provide grassroots training.
Looking back, Razeta reflects, “When I started playing, we didn’t have proper training or female coaches. I want that to change that for the next generation.” Her goal is clear: to continue learning and to become a role model for young girls.
One important lesson she has learned through it all: “Don’t give up just because it’s hard in the beginning.”
Ranjita Shakya is an alumna of the WEcoachNepal x DaretoShine program organized by WE United in 2019. She is currently working at various academies, where she coaches football to youth groups of all genders.
