Manbir Chhantyal has announced candidacy for general secretary in the election of Nepal Volleyball Association (NVA) set to take place on September 7 in Kathmandu.

Announcing his candidacy, Chhantyal, who is the sitting secretary of the country’s volleyball governing body, revealed his plans of organising franchise-based volleyball tournaments at the provincial and central level if he gets elected.

“I have been in the game since my childhood as a player, tournament organiser, referee, coach and administrator,” said the 52-year-old who was elected as executive committee member of NVA in 2015 and secretary four years later.

Chhantyal came into limelight after starting Dhorpatan Women’s League Volleyball Championship in 2005, which was the country’s first women’s volleyball in professional setup. He gave continuity to the event for about a decade and also introduced ticketing system in volleyball tournaments.

“All stakeholders must be united to uplift the standard of volleyball in the country,” Chhantyal said. “Having served as member and secretary, I have decided to move on to a more active role of general secretary. I have talked with office bearers of district association and have got an overwhelming response.”

Chhantyal continued, “I have plans to honour players with a car if they serve in the capacity of national captain for seven years and fete every international player with a two-wheeler on their retirement. There must be division of work and different committees need to be formed for running the game smoothly.”

He also revealed his plans of organising 24 national level tournaments for male and female players at the national level. He stressed the need of a full-time general secretary and president for smooth functioning of the NVA.

Chhantyal became the second person to announce candidacy for top position of the country’s volleyball governing body after vice president Niroj Maskey.