October 9, Kathmandu – The Pokhara Avengers, a franchise team of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), has appointed Himal Sunari Magar, a member of the Nepal national volleyball team and captain of Annapurna Spikers Kings—the champions of the first edition of the Nepal Volleyball League (NVL)—as their Sports Ambassador. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday, where Pokhara Avengers’ General Manager Amit Lohani and Himal signed the agreement.
As a middle blocker, Himal played a key role in leading Annapurna Spikers Kings to the championship in the inaugural NVL season. Himal, who recently gained prominence in domestic volleyball, made his national team debut at the Kavah Men’s Volleyball Championship held in Pakistan.
Pokhara Avengers emphasized that under the “Two Teams, One Dream” concept, Himal’s partnership aims to connect the two franchise teams representing Gandaki Province in cricket and volleyball respectively. Amit Lohani explained that Himal’s role as Sports Ambassador is to foster collaboration and coexistence between these two different sports franchises from the same city and province.
“Though Pokhara Avengers and Annapurna Spikers Kings are teams from different sports, our foundation and spirit are united. We have partnered with Himal to strengthen sports in Gandaki Province and Pokhara,” Lohani stated. In his ambassadorial role, Himal will promote the Pokhara Avengers brand, expand its fan engagement, and bolster cooperation between cricket and volleyball franchises.
Currently preparing for the third edition of the NPL, Pokhara Avengers have already begun training. The team retained marquee player Kushal Bhurtel along with Sagar Dhakal, Arjun Kumal, Bipin Khatri, Akash Chand, Kiran Thagunna, and Dinesh Kharel. Through auctions, the team added Arjun Gharti Magar, Vivek Ranamagar, Sudip Aryal, Sunny BK, Bipin Acharya, and Prateek Pokharel to their roster.
As foreign players, Pokhara Avengers have contracted Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and retained Sri Lankan all-rounder Dhananjaya Lakshan for a second consecutive season. The team’s head coach is former Sri Lankan international Balapuwaduge Ajanta Winslow Mendis, who is currently in Nepal and has already commenced training sessions with the team.
