Bansbari Club have become the first 'B' Division side to get a title sponsor for the Martyrs Memorial 'B' Division League that kicks off on February 23.

Around The Himalayas, a travel and tour operator company, has inked the title sponsorship deal worth Rs1 million at a programme in Kathmandu on Sunday. Club President Prem Thapa and company's Managing Director Sudharaman Karki signed the Memorandum of Understanding.

Under the one-year deal, the club will be named Around The Himalayas Bansbari Club. Bansbari have roped in 22 players, three coaches and a physiotherapist for the league.

Bansbari, which have already played top-tier football, were relegated to the second division in the 2012-13 season. According to President Thapa, the club have set their ambition of regaining a place in the 'A' division. "The sponsorship will help to boost the team and add a new dimension to Nepali football," said Thapa. The club have received Rs1 million from the All Nepal Football Association in addition to Rs300,000 from Kathmandu Metropolitan City for the league preparations.

Around The Himalayas’ Karki said that the sponsorship was part of the company's corporate social responsibility. "I was born and brought up in Bansbari. The club used to be in 'A' Division then. I have been interested in football since childhood. So we decided to help the club with the sponsorship."

Former Nepal international Yugal Kishor Rai has been appointed as the team’s head coach, Nishan Shrestha (coach) and Kapil Fogat (physiotherapist) for this season.

Squad: Anjan Devkota (captain), Tanka Prasad Gurung, Suleman Thapa Magar, Anil Gurung, Anuj Bhandari, Amrit Shrestha, Bhishma Raj Ghimire, Shiva Gurung, Nishan Sunar, Sajin Thapa Magar, Suresh Kumal, Bishal Syangtan, Sadish Jagebu, Keshab Khadka, Bipin Gurung, Roshan Nepal, Sanjay Subba, Ajay Rajbanshi, Dipanshu Raut, Maka Dhoj Gurung, Kamal Khawas, Amrit Gurung.