By Sachit Subba • Volleyball • Sep 12, 2026 14:49 PM • 26 views
The Annapurna Spiker Kings won the first-ever Nepal Volleyball League title, defeating Karnali Shivaraj 3-0 on Saturday. The victory earned the Kings two million rupees, the largest single payment in Nepali volleyball history.
The championship match at the National Sports Council covered hall was intense and controversial. Annapurna started strongly, racing to a 4-1 lead in the first set. Karnali closed to 5-4, but Annapurna pulled away again. Their three foreign players controlled the net with key blocks and powerful spikes, building an 18-11 lead. The Kings then played carelessly and won the set 25-15.
If a smooth second set was expected, the opposite followed. Annapurna led 5-3 when emotions flared. Karnali's top player, Pahal Gahatraj, challenged the referee's decision, and official Bijay KC gave him a yellow card. Karnali's foreign player, Ali Reza Abluz, also received a yellow card after expressing his anger. Spectators threw water bottles onto the court, and the Karnali players stopped play. The match was halted for more than 20 minutes.
Officials from the volleyball association and tournament organisers eventually intervened and calmed the players and crowd. When the referee restarted play, Annapurna used the disrupted rhythm to extend its lead to 14-6. Karnali fought back, winning five straight points to close to 18-16 and then threatening to take the set. Annapurna held firm, and with a 24-20 lead, Himal Sunari struck the set point to give the Kings a 2-0 advantage.
Needing a perfect third set to keep their championship hopes alive, Karnali broke down instead. Annapurna kept attacking the Karnali defence and quickly built an 18-10 lead. The Spiker Kings handled the final points with little difficulty, won the set 25-18, and dropped to the floor in celebration as champions.
Annapurna's victory was especially satisfying. They finished first in the six-team league and secured a direct place in the final, but their only preliminary loss came against Karnali; Karnali beat Annapurna 3-1 in the group stage before defeating Kathmandu Reds in the playoffs to set up the rematch. In the highest-stakes meeting, the Spiker Kings made sure history told a different story.
The Kedia Group organised the franchise tournament, which offered a total prize fund of 3.2 million rupees and set a new financial standard for the sport in the area. It is rare for a first-time tournament to combine so much drama, a high level of athletic ability, and such a substantial payout. The Annapurna Spiker Kings now hold the title from the first event and have earned the prizes.
