Kathmandu, April 1
The first Lions Cup Men’s Volleyball Tournament, organised by Lions International District 325 M will kick off from May 1 to 5 in Pokhara.
District Governor Chandi Prasad Aryal informed that the competition will be played at the Multipurpose Hall of the Pokhara Stadium. This will be the first time that volleyball matches will be held in this hall.
Aryal mentioned that six teams will participate in the competition, including four from Nepal and two foreign teams.
“Three departmental teams from Nepal and one from Gandaki Province will compete in the tournament. The Pakistan Volleyball Club is confirmed to participate. We are in discussions with teams from India and Iran for the remaining one team,” he said.
The teams from Nepal include the Nepal Police Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Nepal APF Club, and Gandaki Province Volleyball Association. Pakistan Volleyball Club from Islamabad has also confirmed its participation.
One team will come from either India or Iran, according to the organisers.
The competition will be held on a league-cum-knockout basis, with the participating teams divided into two groups. After the league phase of both groups, the top two teams will advance to the semifinals. A total of nine matches will be played in the competition.
The organizers also mentioned that teams from outside the departmental groups will be allowed to include three foreign players.
Aryal said that this tournament is being organised with the objective of promoting Nepal’s national sport, volleyball, marking the 107th anniversary globally and 53 years in Nepal.
“This is the first time we are organising such a competition. We plan to make it a grand success and aim to organise it more systematically from next year. We also plan to hold a women’s competition,” Aryal said.
The competition has received approval from the National Sports Council, Nepal Volleyball Association, and Gandaki Provincial Sports Council, with technical support from the Gandaki Provincial Volleyball Association.
Pokhara Metropolitan City is promoting the event, with special support from Gandaki Province.
Supporting organisations include Nepal Tourism Board, Provincial Sports Council Gandaki, Pokhara Tourism Council (Pokhara), Kaski District Sports Development Committee, Kaski District Volleyball Association, and Tiger Group of Pokhara Nepal.
The winner of the competition will receive a trophy and Rs 444,444. The runner-up will get Rs 244,444, and the third-place team will receive RS 144,444. The Best Player of the tournament will receive Rs 14,444, while players excelling in specific categories will get Rs 8,444.
The estimated budget for the tournament is NPR 8 million, which will be raised through sponsorships and ticket sales, according to the organisers.
