KATHMANDU: Play for Deprived Children (PDCN), a NGO working for health and educational welfare of deprived children through sports is all set to organise KWIKS Basketball League at National Sports Council’s Covered Hall in Kathmandu from February 17, 2018.

A first ever club level home and away double round robin league basketball tournament will start from February 17 and end on March 31, 2018.

A total of eight teams will compete in the tournament facing each other. Each of the eight teams is allowed to include three foreign players in their team. However, only one foreign player is allowed in the playing five.

The one and a half month long tournament will feature 60 matches including two playoffs, third place match and the final.

President of Nepal Basketball Association (NEBA) Lama Tendi Sherpa said,“The purpose of this tournament is to test the player's ability to play in the intense situations, enhance their skills and review their past performances."

Sherpa further added that NEBA will be providing technical assistance to PDCN for concluding the tournament.

According to Sadish Pradhan, Nepal National Men’s Basketball Team Captain, "The league is very interesting as it provides players with an opportunity enhance skills while creating a positive and competitive environment for the players."

The winners will bag porse of NRs 200,000 along with trophy, medals and certificates.

“PDCN has been involved in various sports activities for deprived children, especially in the remote areas of Nepal. KWIKS Basketball League is its first initiative at the national level,” the organisation said in a statement.

The top four teams will compete in the playoffs with the top side playing the fourth-place teams. The second and third place teams will face off in the second play-off.