”When I came to Nepal two years ago, I did not see much discussion about kabaddi, but now I have seen enthusiasm in many people for this game.”
Pro Kabaddi League is one of the most popular sports in India, although not as popular as Indian Premier League cricket. Two weeks ago, Haryana Steelers defeated Patna Pirates in the final and became champions. Ghanshyam Roka Magar was a Nepali player in the Haryana team.
The same raider Ghanshyam from Haryana has arrived in Nepal Kabaddi League (NKL) Kathmandu. He said very excitedly to NKL, 'Two years ago when I came to Nepal, I did not see much discussion about kabaddi, but now I have seen enthusiasm in many people about this game.'
His father Rolpa is from Libang. After his father moved to India three decades ago, Ghanshyam was born and brought up there. Lobaj is also his Hindi. He also learned Kabaddi in India. He made his 'debut' in the Bangabandhu Kabaddi Cup in 2023 and captained Nepal in the same tournament last year. In that tournament, Nepal not only became the runner-up, Ghanshyam became the best player of the tournament.
21-year-old Ghanshyam is the marquee player of Kathmandu Mavericks in the NKL starting on January 4. Ghanshyam said about NKL, which is going to be organized for the first time in the concept of franchise team, "Such (NKL) competition has never been held in Nepal before". This year the players are getting good money . Corporate houses have bought the team . Players, coaches all got good facilities . Therefore, I believe that NKL will establish Nepali Kabaddi in a professional form and will be established as a big competition in the future.'
He became the runner-up in the Pro Kabaddi League while playing for Haryana Steelers last season as well. This year, he is the champion. After celebrating the title won in Puna in Haryana, he returned home . But he didn't get to play any match in Pro Kabaddi League.
Kathmandu Mavericks and Pokhara Lakers are facing each other in the opening match of NKL organized by Astronics Management on January 4. The next day Biratnagar Bandits will face Dhangadhi Wildcats . Janakpur Knights will make their NKL debut by competing against Himalayan Raiders of Butwal. There will be 15 matches in the round robin league of the NKL with teams from 6 cities, and the top four teams will enter the knockout stage.
The top two teams in the league will play Qualifier 1 on January 14, with the winner going directly to the final. The third and fourth placed teams in the league will play in the eliminator on January 14, the winner of which will advance to Qualifier 2. Between the team that lost in Qualifier 1 and the winner of Eliminator, the team that wins Qualifier 2 on January 16 will get a place in the final. The final will be held on January 18. 18 players from Thailand, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have also come to Kathmandu to play NKL.
