Kathmandu – Nepal national volleyball team player and Annapurna Spikers Kings captain Himal Sunari Magar has been appointed Sports Ambassador of Nepal Premier League (NPL) franchise Pokhara Avengers.
The appointment was announced at a programme in Kathmandu on Thursday, where Pokhara Avengers General Manager Amit Lohani and Himal signed the agreement.
Himal, a middle blocker, played a key role in leading Annapurna Spikers Kings to the championship title in the inaugural season of the Nepal Volleyball League (NVL). He also recently made his debut for the Nepali national volleyball team at the CAVA Men’s Volleyball Championship in Pakistan.
The partnership is part of Pokhara Avengers’ “Two Teams, One Dream” initiative, aimed at strengthening cooperation between two franchise teams representing Gandaki Province—Pokhara Avengers in cricket and Annapurna Spikers Kings in volleyball.
Pokhara Avengers General Manager Amit Lohani said the collaboration aims to promote mutual support and strengthen sports in Pokhara and Gandaki Province.
As Sports Ambassador, Himal will help promote the Pokhara Avengers brand, engage with supporters and encourage greater collaboration between cricket and volleyball.
Meanwhile, Pokhara Avengers has started preparations for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League. The team has retained marquee player Kushal Bhurtel along with Sagar Dhakal, Arjun Kumal, Bipin Khatri, Akash Chand, Kiran Thagunna and Dinesh Kharel.
Through the auction, the franchise added Arjun Gharti Magar, Bibek Ranamagar, Sudip Aryal, Sunny BK, Bipin Acharya and Pratik Pokharel. Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has joined the team, while Sri Lankan all-rounder Dhananjaya Lakshan has been retained.
Former Sri Lankan international Ajantha Mendis has been appointed head coach and has already arrived in Nepal to begin training with the squad.
