By Sachit Subba • Volleyball • Jul 26, 2026 17:35 PM • 38 views
LALITPUR — The inaugural Nepal Volleyball League (NVL) auction on Sunday at Hotel Tulip saw intense bidding, with fourteen Category 'A' marquee players reaching the maximum price cap of NPR 120,000. Organised by the Kedia Group, the league drew 127 hopefuls, with 42 domestic players earning roster spots across six franchises.
The auction reached its peak intensity when middle blockers Chiranjibi Khadka and Sanoj Chaudhari took centre stage. In an unprecedented display of demand, all six franchise outfits—Karnali Shivraj, Kathmandu Reds, Sagarmatha Smashers, Madhesh Warriors, Annapurna Spiker Kings, and Khaptad Falcons—entered maximum bids for both players. A lucky draw ultimately decided their destinations, routing Khadka to Kathmandu Reds while Chaudhari anchored Karnali Shivraj's roster.
Karnali Shivraj dominated the Category 'A' draft by snapping up four maximum-cap players. Alongside Chaudhari, Karnali secured middle blocker Nirpadhwaj Basnet, libero Binod Chand, and outside hitter Suraj Chunara through crucial lottery draws. Kathmandu Reds made their own splash by acquiring three top-bracket stars, adding libero Santosh Rai and outside hitter Santosh Bk with Chiranjibi Khadka, while locking in Baldev Dhami at the base price of NPR 100,000.
Opposite hitter Rajendra Dhami created early fireworks as the auction's very first selection. Five franchises instantly launched into a bidding war to reach his maximum ceiling before Annapurna Spiker Kings clinched his signature via draw. Annapurna further bolstered their lineup with outside hitter Surendra Khatri (NPR 120,000), along with opposite hitter Rabi KC and middle blocker Bishwas Adhikari at the minimum NPR 100,000 threshold.
Every franchise wrapped up the session by signing seven domestic players—four from Category 'A' and three from Category 'B' (priced between NPR 50,000 and 70,000). Sagarmatha Smashers built their defensive core around setter Subas Kunwar and libero Bhim Bahadur Gaha Magar, while Madhesh Warriors added libero Rajan Darlami Magar and veteran opposite hitter Dhan Bahadur Bhatta. Khaptad Falcons also sealed maximum deals for opposite hitter Saroj Bardewa and middle blocker Prem Prasad Gautam.
The league operates under a strict squad blueprint. Beyond the domestic draft picks, each side must integrate three international recruits, a talent hunt find, a designated marquee player, and a head coach. Prominent figures including Sagarmatha's marquee Hari Hajur Thapa, Madhesh's Rabin Nagarkoti, and Kathmandu's Sunil Bohara will lead their teams when action kicks off under the slogan "New Heights of Flight."
The inaugural NVL season takes place from August 28 to September 5 at the National Sports Council Covered Hall in Tripureshwar, marking a transformative leap for professional volleyball in Nepal and underscoring the league’s bold new beginning.
