Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is planning to develop Nepal Premier League (NPL) into a premier event of the globe, association’s secretary Paras Khadka said on Tuesday.

Khadka highlighted CAN’s grand objective of its “flagship event” during the owner reveal ceremony of the participating eight teams of the league.

Kathmandu Gurkhas, Pokhara Avengers, Chitwan Rhinos, Biratnagar Kings, Lumbini Lions, Janakpur Bolts, Karnali Yaks and Sudurpaschim Royals will complete for supremacy in the first edition of the NPL, which is scheduled to take place from November 30 to December 21 in Kathmandu.

“NPL is connected with the country’s future and CAN will leave no stone unturned to make the event successful,” said former national team captain Khadka.

“We are making efforts to make Nepal Premier League the best event of associate cricket,” he added.

The players auction for the NPL will take place on Sunday.

The marquee players of all eight teams have already been finalised.

National team captain Rohit Paudel is the marquee player of Lumbini. Karan KC will headline for Kathmandu, while Sandeep Lamichhane will feature as marquee player at Biratnagar, Kushal Malla at Chitwan, Aasif Sheikh at Janakpur, Sompal Kami at Karnali, Kushal Bhurtel at Pokhara and Dipendra Singh Airee at Sudurpaschim.

CAN had sold the eight franchise teams of the NPL through a bidding process at Rs168 million last month, with Pokhara attracting the highest bid reaching Rs35.7 million.

Kathmandu was bought with the second highest price of Rs33.3 million.

Karnali was bought at the lowest bid of Rs11.1 million.

Kathmandu Gurkhas

Ownership: Kathmandu Sports Development Venture

Team owners: Upendra Mahato, Kailash Sirohiya, Arun Saraf

Nepalis are very good at sports but we have been lagging due to lack of proper platforms like commercial sports and lack of investment. NPL is taking place in the initiative of CAN. NPL’s future and success rest on the participation of all Nepali people. We, the franchise owners, will create an environment where all will be able to see cricket in the country.

—Upendra Mahato

Pokhara Avengers

Ownership: Nepal T20 Pvt Ltd

Team owners: Subodh Tripathi, Manobal Shrestha

As a franchise team, we want to introduce the NPL to the world. Pokhara Avengers will play a crucial role in the development of cricket from grassroot level.

—Subodh Tripathi

Chitwan Rhinos

Ownership: Chitwan Medical College
Team owners: Harischandra Neupane, Ayush Neupane

Health and sports are synonymous to each other. We have come here to contribute to the growth of player’s facilities. We are very excited to be associated with NPL.

—Ayush Neupane

Biratnagar Kings

Ownership: MAD Dream Sports

Team owner: Paras Luniya

I played for the national cricket team for six years. It has been 20 years now since I retired. We have struggled a lot to become what we are today. During our time, the national team used to have 60 percent representation from the Eastern region. But the representation of the region at the national level is very thin today, which is the very reason we are here. We have participated to revive Biratnagar Kings in cricket. I also hope that people will celebrate NPL as a festival in the future.

—Paras Luniya

Lumbini Lions

Ownership: Fortuna Health Care

Team owner: Ishwor GC

Cricket has become a sentiment of all Nepali people now. Lumbini Lions are very happy to have come together in this contest. We will try to introduce Lumbini to the world stage.

—Ishwor GC

Janakpur Bolts

Ownership: Dream Sports

Team owner: Amit Shrestha

We want to take Nepali cricket to a new height through collaboration with CAN. Dream Sport will also continue the legacy of Lumbini All Stars that we left in the Nepal T20 League. We are beginning a new journey as Janakpur Bolts now.

—Niraj Khatiwada (General Manager)

Karnali Yaks

Ownership: Himalayan Builders

Team owners: Jhanak Dutta Khanal, Grihendra Ghimire

I want to thank CAN for bridging the private sector with sports. NPL will serve as a stairway for Nepal to win the World Cup one day. Unless the private sector commercialise the sports sector, the concerned sports will not become able to materialise its objectives.

—Grihendra Ghimire

Sudurpaschim Royals

Ownership: Empire Sports

Team owner: Swotantra Prapat Shah

NPL is a concept. It is a good platform for those who are looking to build a future in sports. We believe that CAN will continue the NPL for years to come.

—Swotantra Prapat Shah