Six Bangladeshi kabaddi players secured places in four different franchises in the inaugural Nepal Kabaddi League (NKL), as the draft of the franchise-based tournament was held in Kathmandu on Sunday.

The six-team competition will kick off on January 17 before coming to an end on February 1.

The Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation (BKF) had nominated six players to the All Nepal Kabaddi Association (ANKA) for the NKL. Among them, all-rounder Monirul Islam and defender Sabuz Mia were picked by the Pokhara Lakers, while Yeasin Arafat was drafted into the Dhangadhi Wild Cats. Mijanur Rahman and Roman Hossain secured places in the Kathmandu Mavericks, and Sha Mohammed Shahan joined the Himalayan Raiders, informed BKF General Secretary Shah Newaj Shohag.\

"As it is the first edition of the franchise-based kabaddi league in Nepal, they will provide daily allowances, accommodation, airfares, and nominal pocket money. We have decided to send the players to the NKL to gain experience from playing with foreign players," said Shohag yesterday.

The ANKA signed a 10-year agreement with sponsors to run the NKL in a bid to provide their players with a strong platform to compete, especially after Nepal women's team won a bronze medal in last year's 19th Asian Games.