Nepal Kabaddi League

Nepal Kabaddi League
The official logo of NKL
Country Nepal
AdministratorAll Nepal Kabaddi Association(ANKA) and Astrionix Management Private Limited
First tournament2025
Next tournament2026
Tournament formatRound-robin league and playoffs
Number of teams6
Current championsJanakpur Knights
Most successfulJanakpur Knights (1 title)
TV partner(s)Kantipur Max TV HD
SloganMato dekhi Maidan Samma
Websitenepalkabaddileague.com

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 won the inaugural season by defeating Kathmandu Mavericks in the final with a score of 43 – 41.[5][6]

History

This league was envisioned 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

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.[7][8] .The inaugural edition saw participation from international players from Bangladesh,[9] Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Format

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

Teams

The NKL consists of six franchise teams, each representing a major city in Nepal.[10]

On 28 March 2026, the league officially announced the franchise owners for the second season.[11][12] Two teams underwent rebranding after change in ownership: Biratnagar Bandits became Biratnagar Bahubali[13] and Himalayan Raiders became Butwal Bulls.[14]

Nepal Kabaddi League is located in Nepal
Biratnagar Bahubali
Biratnagar Bahubali
Dhangadi Wild Cats
Dhangadi Wild Cats
Butwal Bulls
Butwal Bulls
Janakpur Knights
Janakpur Knights
Kathmandu Mavricks
Kathmandu Mavricks
Pokhara Lakers
Pokhara Lakers
Cities represented by NKL teams as of 2025

Current teams

Team City Debut Captain Head Coach Owner(s) Ref.
Biratnagar Bahubali Biratnagar, Koshi Province 2025 Kalyan Bhujel Satisha Nayaka National Investment Holding Pvt. Ltd. [13]
Butwal Bulls Butwal, Lumbini Province Ganesh Bahadur Karki Sandip Pant Morai Corporation Pvt. Ltd. [14]
Dhangadi Wild Cats Dhangadi, Sudurpashchim Province Padam Bahadur Bist Mahesh Bohara Dhading Wildcat Pvt. Ltd. [15]
Janakpur Knights Janakpur, Madhesh Province Ramu Tamatta Ganesh Krishna Neco Insurance Limited [15]
Kathmandu Mavricks Kathmandu, Bagmati Province Ghanashyam Roka Magar Alok Singh Kathmandu Mavericks Pvt. Ltd. [15]
Pokhara Lakers Pokhara, Gandaki Province Pradip Mijar Rajaram Periyapuliyan Fewa Construction Pvt. Ltd. [15]

Franchise history

Season

Franchise
(Owner)
 2025 2026
Biratnagar Biratnagar Bandits
(Not Announced)		 Biratnagar Bahubali
(National Investment Holding Pvt. Ltd.)
Butwal Himalayan Raiders
(Not Announced)		 Butwal Bulls
(Morai Corporation Pvt. Ltd.)

Tournament season and result

Season Final Final Venue Best Raider Best Defender Most Total Points
Winner Result Runner-up
2025 Janakpur Knights 45 – 41

Result

 Kathmandu Mavericks N.S.C. Covered Hall, Tripureshwor Ghanshyam Roka Magar Tanongsak Srihera Ghanshyam Roka Magar
2026

Team performances

Season
(No. of teams)		 2025
(6)		 2026
(6)
Biratnagar Bahubali PO
Dhanghadi Wild Cats PO
Butwal Bulls 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

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

References

  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. ↑ "Janakpur Knights clinch Nepal Kabaddi League title". The Kathmandu Post. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  6. ↑ "Janakpur Knights Crowned Champions in a Thrilling 45-41 Victory Over Kathmandu Mavericks !!". Nepal Kabaddi League. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  7. ↑ "Draft of Nepal Kabaddi League held". Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  8. ↑ "Six Bangladesh players drafted into inaugural Nepal Kabaddi League". Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  9. ↑ "Six Bangladesh players drafted into inaugural Nepal Kabaddi League". Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  10. ↑ "Nepal Kabaddi League - NKL | Teams". nepalkabaddileague.com. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "एनकेएलका ६ टोलीको मालिक सार्वजनिक". Hamro Khelkud. 28 March 2026. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  12. ↑ "नेपाल कबड्डी लिग : यी हुन् ६ टिमका मालिक" [Nepal Kabaddi League: These are the owners of the 6 teams]. Online Khabar. 29 March 2026. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  13. 1 2 "Bhawani Rana buys Biratnagar team". Kantipur. 28 March 2026. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Franchise Owners Announced for Nepal Kabaddi League Season 2". Ratopati. 29 March 2026. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "एनकेएल : यी हुन् ६ सहरका ६ टिम र मालिक". Nepal News (in Nepali). Retrieved 31 March 2026.
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