Ncell has announced its collaboration with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) to power the upcoming Siddharth Bank Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024. As the ‘Powered By’ partner, Ncell will help elevate the professional franchise-based T20 tournament, contributing to the development of Nepal’s home-grown cricket talent.
The agreement, finalized by Ncell’s Managing Director and CEO, Jabbor Kayumov, and Paras Khadka, Secretary of CAN, took place last week. The partnership supports Ncell’s mission of growing the digital economy and enhancing sports in Nepal. This collaboration aligns with the company’s theme, “Here for You,” demonstrating its commitment to supporting Nepal’s cricket and sports sector.
Ncell’s contribution will help bring the NPL to a wider audience, leveraging international-level production and broadcasting. As a ‘Powered By’ partner, Ncell will also enable viewers to watch the matches via live screening, ensuring easy access to the event. The tournament will feature 32 matches, with 160 cricketers competing in a round-robin format across 8 teams representing major Nepali cities: Biratnagar, Chitwan, Janakpur, Karnali, Kathmandu, Lumbini, Pokhara, and Sudurpashim. The matches will take place from November 30 to December 21, 2024, at the Tribhuwan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.
Jabbor Kayumov expressed excitement about the partnership, especially after the success of Nepal’s U-19 women’s cricket team qualifying for the ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup. He emphasized that the partnership provides Nepal’s cricketers with excellent exposure and an opportunity to showcase their talents, highlighting the importance of sports in promoting youth empowerment and social unity.
The collaboration also aims to recognize and support the passionate Nepali fanbase, with Ncell making multiple on-ground activations and customer offers throughout the tournament. Ncell has long been a key supporter of sports in Nepal, contributing to cricket, football, volleyball, and other sports through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Ncell’s longstanding commitment to sports includes previous support for events like the Triangular T20i Series, ICC League 2, and various football tournaments. Additionally, Ncell collaborates with the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) to support Nepal’s para-athletes and has invested in the development of sports infrastructure, such as the rebuilding of Lainchaur Ground as a multipurpose facility.
By partnering with CAN for the NPL 2024, Ncell is not only contributing to the development of cricket but is also reinforcing its commitment to growing Nepal’s digital and sports landscape. The company’s support will continue to nurture talent and elevate the country’s position on the global sporting map.
