The ninth edition of the National Women’s Volleyball tournament, which is organised annually by the Sher Bahadur Khadka Memorial Trust, is taking place from January 7 to 10 next year.

Making the dates of the tournament public at a function in Kathmandu on Thursday, the Trust’s chairman Ranjan Khadka informed that five teams will participate in the event.

Nepal Police Club will defend their title against APF Club, New Diamond Youth Sports Club, Tribhuvan Army Club and Everest Volleyball Club in a league-cum-knockout format.

“The winners of the tournament will receive a cash prize of Rs500,000. The runners-up and third-placed team will get Rs250,000 and Rs125,000, respectively,” read a press statement. “The best players in different positions will get Rs25,000 each at the end of the tournament. In each match, the player of the match will get Rs15,000.”

The Trust, as always, will also honour a national volleyball player with the Sher Bahadur Khadka Special Award, which has a cash purse of Rs50,000, in the opening ceremony.

Similarly, as in the past, Kansai Nerolac Paints (KNP) Nepal are continuing their title sponsorship for the event. “We have been part of this event for a long time because we want to help Nepali sports,” said Manoj Mishra, country manager at KNP Nepal. “It is a difficult time for businesses to invest in sports, but we have cut our expenses in other areas to continue supporting this volleyball tournament.”

Speaking as the chief guest of the function, Jitendra Bahadur Chand, president of Nepal Volleyball Association, thanked the Trust for their continuous commitment to women’s volleyball.