Nepal Kabaddi League Draft Concludes: 84 Players Selected Across 6 Teams

For Nepal Kabaddi League (NKL) Season 2, six teams from six cities selected 84 players through a draft on Sunday, comprising 54 Nepali and 30 foreign players. The tournament will commence on June 5 at the Rani Pokhari Covered Hall in Dashrath Rangshala, Tripureshwor, with teams Viratnagar Bahubali, Janakpur Knights, Kathmandu Mavericks, Pokhara Lakers, Butwal Bulls, and Dhangadhi Wildcats competing.

At the players’ draft held in Lazimpat, 142 Nepali players were categorized into three groups. Similarly, 80 foreign players from 14 countries were also grouped into the same three categories. Among them, 10 players from the previous season were retained. Each team was allowed to retain up to two players, while the remaining 74 players were selected through the draft.

Starting June 5, the NKL Season 2 will feature Viratnagar Bahubali (Koshi Province), defending champions Janakpur Knights (Madhesh Province), Kathmandu Mavericks (Bagmati Province), Pokhara Lakers (Gandaki Province), Butwal Bulls (Lumbini Province), and Dhangadhi Wildcats (Sudurpashchim Province). Each team has assembled their squad by drafting nine domestic and five foreign players.

The event was attended by Amit Kumar Begani, head of NKL organizer Astronix Management; Tulsi Thapa, president of the All Nepal Kabaddi Association; Ramcharitra Mehta, member secretary of the National Sports Council; Rajkumar Karki, general secretary of Nepal School Sports Federation; and Deepak Bista, president of the Olympian Association, among others. Astronix Management has appointed Kantipur Max TV HD as the broadcast partner for NKL Season 2.