KATHMANDU, APRIL 8

The Nepal Sports and Events Management Pvt Ltd and Nepal Distilleries Pvt Ltd signed the title sponsorship deal for the Nepal Super League here today.

Chairperson of the Nepal Super League Ashrayata Karki Chaudhary and Event Manager at Khukri - the product of Nepal Distilleries - Shrida Shah exchanged the memorandum of understanding amidst a ceremony. As per the deal, Khukri Rum will be the title sponsor of the first-ever franchise football tournament of the country.

'We are pleased to announce that NSL will have Khukri, represented by Nepal Distilleries Pvt Ltd, as its title sponsor for NSL 2021,' said Karki Chaudhary. 'We are really excited about Khukri being a part of this league and hope this tie-up will be a fruitful for both parties. We share a common vision of youth development in sports and have joined hands to fulfill this endeavour,' added Karki Chaudhary.

Shuvash Lamichhane, General Manager of Nepal Distilleries said the company was proud to be associated with the NSL as a Nepali product.

'Whether it's in music, movies and now sports, we are always looking for ways to promote and elevate Nepali talent. Partnering with NSL gives us the perfect opportunity,' Lamichhane added.

A total of seven teams - Biratnagar City Football Club, Kathmandu Rayzers, Lalitpur City Football Club, Football Club Chitwan, Pokhara Thunders, Butwal Lumbini Football Club and Dhangadhi Football Club - will take part in the tournament which is scheduled to kick off at the Dasharath Stadium on April 14.

The teams have already bought 14 players from auction, while they can include three foreigners in their squads along with two local footballers. A version of this article appears in the print on April 9, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.