NKL sees surge in player registrations

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 14: A total of 512 domestic players have registered for the second edition of the Nepal Kabaddi League (NKL), according to organiser Astronix Management.

Amit Kumar Begani, head of the organising body, stated that interest in the league has grown significantly this season. 

“In the first edition, 278 Nepali players were registered for the NKL. This year, we have 512 domestic players signed up,” he said.

During the inaugural edition, six teams from six cities selected 84 players through a draft system, 66 of whom were Nepali.

For the upcoming season, Bagmati Province leads in player registration with 155 names submitted. 

Sudurpaschim follows with 103, Lumbini with 98, Madhesh with 70, Koshi with 35, Karnali with 27, and Gandaki Province with 24.

“Foreign players remain a major attraction in the competition. We plan to include between 40 and 50 international players in the draft for the second edition,” Begani added. 

In the previous season, 18 players from Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Kenya participated in the NKL.

The teams that competed in the first edition were the Biratnagar Bandits, Janakpur Knights, Kathmandu Mavericks, Pokhara Lakers, Butwal’s Himalayan Raiders, and the Dhangadhi Wildcats.

The inaugural season was held at the covered hall of the National Sports Council in Tripureshwor, where Janakpur edged out Kathmandu 43–41 to clinch the title.

Organisers have announced that the date for the second edition will be made public soon.