Nepali Handball Team Departs for Dhaka to Compete in South Asian Zone IHF Trophy 2026

The Nepali national handball team has departed for Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, to participate in the South Asian Zone IHF Trophy 2026. The competition will be held from June 10 to 14. The team was officially seen off by Ramchandra Mehta, Member-Secretary of the National Sports Council (Rakhap). Nepal will compete in two categories: U-18 Junior and U-20 Youth, as announced by the Nepal Handball Association. (June 10, Kathmandu)

The Nepali national handball team left for Dhaka, Bangladesh on Tuesday to take part in the annual tournament organized by the International Handball Federation (IHF), the South Asian Zone IHF Trophy 2026. According to Keshav Pathak, General Secretary of the Nepal Handball Association, Nepal will compete in two divisions: U-18 Junior and U-20 Youth.

Before departure, Ramchandra Mehta, Member-Secretary of the National Sports Council, formally bid farewell to the Nepali team, wishing them success. He encouraged the players to perform excellently while upholding the honor and pride of the nation. The tournament will feature participation from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Maldives, Afghanistan, and Yemen.

The U-20 Nepali team includes Roshan Bik, Habin Chhantyal, Bishwas Gayak, Sudip Ghale, Kevin Gurung, Niraj Gurung, Ritik Pariyar, Sundar Phagami, Nishan Pun, Bikal Pun, Mission Pun, Rijan Shrestha, Shonish Tamang, and Bibek Thapa. The coach of the team is Dinesh Shrestha, a national handball player. The U-18 team consists of Anish Bik, Albin Gurung, Sujal Gurung, Divya Gurung, Subin Gurung, Sital Gurung, Nishan Gurung, Adish Phagami, Prabjal Paudel, Sanskar Pun, Kushal Pun, Sumit Pun, Anmol Shrestha, and Sushan Thapa. This team is led by coach and captain of the Nepali national team, Vishal Basnet.

Prior to departure, coach Vishal Basnet stated that both teams have undergone continuous and intensive training for nearly two months in Pokhara. He mentioned that they will compete with the goal of winning medals. “The players have prepared with relentless effort and discipline. We are confident that they will demonstrate their skills on the international stage and bring pride to Nepal. Our target is not only to perform excellently but also to secure medals,” he said. Both Nepali teams are scheduled to return home on June 15.