Nepal has made a winning start to the women's kabaddi competition at the ongoing 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, Hainan Province, China. In the first match of the group stage, Nepal defeated Chinese Taipei, which is considered to be relatively strong, by 48-32 points on Thursday.

Nepal had a 26-13 lead in the first half. In the second half, Nepal scored 22 points, while Taipei scored 19 points.

Seven countries are participating in the women's kabaddi competition. Nepal is in Group 'B' along with Taipei, Thailand and Bangladesh. After winning the first match, Nepal's captain Manmati Bista said that she was more encouraged. She said, "Winning the first game reduces the pressure for other games and also boosts morale. We will play more games on a do-or-die basis."

Nepal is scheduled to play Bangladesh in the second match on Friday. Bangladesh defeated Thailand 51-34 on Thursday.

Nepal's Chef de Mission Ramkrishna Shrestha said that his team's confidence and extra mental strength for further matches have increased after winning the match against Chinese Taipei. 'Keeping in mind the rules of winning and losing in games, one should not be complacent in one match, but this is a big win for Nepal. It will give us energy in other matches,' Shrestha told Kantipur, 'Due to their hard work, Nepali players have managed to boost morale from a strong team in the first match, we must maintain this confidence.'

The Nepali women's kabaddi team won the bronze medal in the 19th Asian Games held in China three years ago. That was the first bronze medal won by the Nepali team in the Asiad. Similarly, India defeated Sri Lanka by a score of 44-32 in the match in Group 'A' on Thursday.

The 6th Asian Beach Games began in the coastal city of Sanya on Wednesday night with a grand and supernatural cultural tableau. The opening ceremony was addressed by Chinese State Councilor Chen Yixin, Chairman of the Sanya Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee and Governor of Hainan Province Liu Xiaoming, and OCA President Prince Gabriel.