Shillong, Feb. 10: Athletes in the same team can often feel as close as family.

For the Nepal women's table tennis players, this is actually true.

Sisters Elina Maharjan and Erika Maharjan and their sister-in-law Nabita Shrestha are a part of the Nepal contingent at the 12th South Asian Games, with Elina and Nabita bagging a bronze in the women's doubles.

Nineteen-year-old Erika did not get a chance to play, but Elina and Nabita, Nepal's strongest paddlers, were in action throughout the singles, doubles, mixed doubles and team events, with Erika always present, cheering them on.

With so much time spent away from home representing their country, having family close to you is a great thing, according to the trio.

"We don't get that much time to play with family, but having them around makes you feel free and reduces the pressure," Nabita said, while Elina chipped in, "You can enjoy the moment and it is a big support."

The three live in the same house and earlier, they attended the same school and college.

Nabita, the oldest at 23, is studying for her MBA, while Elina, 21, is doing her BBA. Erika is in her second year of a bachelor in business studies course. "It's a way of supporting each other," Nabita, who is married to Elina and Erika's brother, quipped.

Asked if there were any interests they do not share, Elina said: "It's somehow all similar."

Nabita has been representing Nepal in table tennis for the last eight years, while it has been seven years for Elina and four for young Erika.

They trained hard in the three weeks leading to SAG, but have mixed feelings about the results.

"We had hoped for a lot, but got this much (bronze) only. We hoped a lot for the team event but unfortunately, it didn't go our way," Nabita said. "I am happy but not satisfied," she added.