The organisers have revealed the six teams participating in the first men’s franchise volleyball tournament—the Nepal Volleyball League—at an event in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Kedia Group, in association with the Nepal Volleyball Association, is organising the Nepal Volleyball League (NVL) later this year.

The six teams revealed for the tournament include Sagarmatha Smashers, Madhesh Warriors, Kathmandu Reds, Annapurna Spiker Kings, Karnali Shivaraj and Khaptad Falcons.

“The men’s volleyball is getting a professional platform in the country with the NVL,” said Dr Santosh Upadhyaya, chief executive officer of NVL. “It will be the first edition this year, but we will try to make it as professional as possible.”

“The NVL is launching with the motto of ‘A new flight to greater heights’,” Dr Upadhyaya added. “And we will adhere to it.”

The NVL is yet to announce the exact dates for the tournament. The date for the auction is also yet to be revealed.

Meanwhile, team owners argued that they were looking forward to the tournament.

Umesh Lal Shrestha, managing director at Quest Pharamceuticals, which has invested in Kathmandu Reds, said that he invested in the club following his interest in sports.

“I was a hockey player before,” Shrestha told the Post. “It is for my love for the sports sector that I am here. We believe we can give something to the sporting community.”

Similarly, owners of other clubs also expressed their strong desire to invest in the tournament.

“We invested in Karnali Yashvis in the women’s volleyball franchise league. We have won it twice, consecutively,” said an owner of Karnali Shivraj. “Now, we are investing in the men’s team as well. Karnali is filled with volleyball talents and the love for the game there is unparalleled.”