Nepal Kabaddi League

Kabaddi tournament in Nepal

Nepal Kabaddi League

Country|  Nepal
Administrator|

* All Nepal Kabaddi Association(ANKA)
* Astrionix Management Private Limited

First tournament| 2025
Tournament format| Round-robin league and playoffs
Number of teams| 6
Current champions| Janakpur Knights
Most successful| Janakpur Knights (1 title)
TV partner(s)| Kasthamandap Television
Slogan| Mato dekhi Maidan Samma
Website| nepalkabaddileague.com
2025

The Nepal Kabaddi League (NKL)[1] organized by Astrionix Management is a professional-level Kabaddi League in Nepal, featuring six franchise teams representing Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Dhangadhi, and Butwal.[2][3] The inaugural season was held from January 17 to January 31 of 2025.[4]

The NKL was established to promote Kabaddi in Nepal and provide a platform for local talent to showcase their skills. The league is organized by Astrionix Management Private Limited.

Janakpur Knights are the current champions after winning the 2025 season, defeating Kathmandu Mavericks in the final.

## History

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This league was invisioned by the owner of Astrionix Management - Mr. Amit Begani. Over 90 kabaddi players from Nepal and abroad were featured in the players' draft, held on 15 December 2024 in Kathmandu. The league was officially launched in November 2024.

The NKL aims to boost Kabaddi's popularity in Nepal and develop the sport at the grassroots level. The league is expected to be a significant step towards achieving these goals, with the potential to attract more players and fans to the sport.

## Organization

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Teams acquire players through an auction. Each team has a squad of 14 players, with the opportunity of signing up to four foreign players. Drafting of the inaugural season took place on 15 December 2024.[5] [6] .The inaugural edition saw participation from international players from Bangladesh,[7] Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

## Format

[edit]

The league follows single round-robin format, with each team playing against every other teams at National Sports Council Covered Hall (NSC Covered Hall), Tripureshwor, Kathmandu.

## Teams

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The NKL consists of six franchise teams, each representing a major city in Nepal.[8]

Biratnagar Bandits

Dhangadi Wild Cats

Himalayan Raiders

Janakpur Knights

Kathmandu Mavricks

Pokhara Lakers

class=notpageimage|

Cities represented by NKL teams as of 2025

Team  | City  | Debut  | Captain  | Head Coach  | Owner(s)

|
|
|
|
|

Biratnagar Bandits | Biratnagar | 2025  | Kalyan Bhujel  | Satisha Nayaka  |
Dhangadi Wild Cats | Dhangadi | 2025  | Padam Bahadur Bist  | Mahesh Bohara  |
Himalayan Raiders | Butwal | 2025  | Ganesh Bahadur Karki  | Sandip Pant  |
Janakpur Knights | Janakpur | 2025  | Ramu Tamatta  | Ganesh Krishna  |
Kathmandu Mavricks | Kathmandu | 2025  | Ghanashyam Roka Magar  | Alok Singh  |
Pokhara Lakers | Pokhara | 2025  | Pradip Mijar  | Rajaram Periyapuliyan  |

## Tournament season and result

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Season  | Final  | Final Venue  | Best Raider  | Best Defender  | Most Total Points

|
|
|
|
|

Winner  | Result  | Runner-up
2025 | Janakpur Knights  | 45 – 41

Result

| Kathmandu Mavericks  | NSC Covered Hall, Tripureshwor  | Ghanshyam Roka Magar  | Tanongsak Srihera  | Ghanshyam Roka Magar

## Team performances

[edit]

Season
(No. of teams)  | 2025
(6)

|

Biratnagar Bandits  | PO
Dhanghadi Wild Cats  | PO
Himalayan Raiders  | 5th
Janakpur Knights  | C
Kathmandu Mavericks  | RU
Pokhara Lakers  | 6th

* All the NKL teams have been listed alphabetically.
* C: Champions
* RU: Runner-up
* PO: Team qualified for the playoffs of the competition

## Future Plans

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The Astrionix Management has plans to expand the league by introducing a Women's Kabaddi League in the future. The Management team is also working on securing more sponsors and Partnerships to ensure the League's long-term sustainability and growth.

## See also

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* Sports in Nepal
* Nepal national kabaddi team
* Nepal women's national kabaddi team

## References

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1. ^ "Logo and trophy of Nepal Kabaddi League unveiled". Retrieved 24 December 2024.
2. ^ "नेपाल कबड्डी लिगमा ६ टिमको सहभागिता". Online Khabar. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
3. ^ "Teams gear up for Nepal Kabaddi League". Retrieved 31 January 2025.
4. ^ "नेपाल कबड्डी लिग माघ ४ गतेदेखि हुने". Online Khabar. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
5. ^ "Draft of Nepal Kabaddi League held". Retrieved 24 December 2024.
6. ^ "Six Bangladesh players drafted into inaugural Nepal Kabaddi League". Retrieved 24 December 2024.
7. ^ "Six Bangladesh players drafted into inaugural Nepal Kabaddi League". Retrieved 1 February 2025.
8. ^ "Nepal Kabaddi League - NKL | Teams". nepalkabaddileague.com. Retrieved 10 January 2025.

## External links

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* Official website