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Sports in Nepal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Sports in Nepal comprise both traditional Nepalese and modern international games. Even though there is no exact data, football, cricket and volleyball are the most popular sports in Nepal.[1] On 23 May 2017, volleyball was also declared as a national sport of Nepal.[2] Before 2017, traditional games like dandi biyo and kabaddi were considered as the de facto national games.
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Franchise leagues
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Popular sports
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Football
Football, also known as soccer, is the most popular sport in Nepal.[3] The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is the governing body of Nepalese football that organizes the men's and women's national teams.
Football was introduced to Nepal during the Rana regime in the 1921.[4] Since its introduction play was mostly limited to the Kathmandu Valley but since the turn of the millennium more tournaments have started to be organized throughout the country. The Martyr's Memorial A-Division League is the premier football league in Nepal and has been organized since 1955.
The Nepal national team was organized in 1972 after being affiliated to FIFA in 1971 and lost to China in their first official match. Nepal regularly participates in tournaments organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and was the winner of the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup.
Cricket
Cricket is the second most popular sport in Nepal.[5] It rapidly grew in popularity in the mid 2010s, following the slight successes of the Nepalese cricket team as well as the country's explosive rise in social media and television viewing influence from neighboring country India.
The Nepal national cricket team is controlled by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) which was founded in 1946.[6] CAN became a member of the National Sports Council in 1961 and was awarded affiliate status by the International Cricket Council in 1988 and since 1996 has been recognized as an associate member.[7] Nepal has been successful in regional events organized by the Asian Cricket Council, placing first in the ACC Fast Track Countries Tournament in 2006/07 and sharing the title with the United Arab Emirates in the 2012 ACC Trophy Elite. The women's team made their debut in 2007 and has qualified for the Women's Asia Cup in 2012 and 2016.[6]
Nepal qualified for the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 which was the only appearance by the senior men's team at a major ICC event, which also gave them Twenty20 International (T20I) until 2015.[8] The national under-19 team has qualified for the Under-19 Cricket World Cup seven times including winning the Plate Championship in 2006. Recently Nepal has qualified and played in the ICC World Twenty20 2024.
Nepal claimed One Day International (ODI) status for the first time with their six wicket win over Papua New Guinea in the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier play off encounter on 15 March 2018.[9][10] The men and women's team both currently have T20I status as a result of an ICC decision to expand the status to all member nations.[11]
Volleyball
Volleyball, the third most popular sport in Nepal, was declared the national sport of Nepal on 22 May 2017 (2074 Jestha 8).[2] The Nepal Volleyball Association (NVA) is the governing body of volleyball in Nepal and organizes the men's and women's national teams. Nepal competes in tournaments organized by the Central Asian Zonal Volleyball Association which operates under the Asian Volleyball Confederation.
As in many other countries, women's volleyball is more popular than men's.[12] it is played in all 77 district which means all parts of Nepal.
Kabaddi
Kabaddi in Nepal is more than a sport—it's a vibrant expression of tradition, resilience, and community pride. Rooted in rural customs, kabaddi has evolved into a national passion, celebrated in both villages and urban centers. The Nepal Kabaddi League (NKL) has transformed the game into a professional spectacle, showcasing rising stars like Bishal Tamang and Anjana Thapa while uniting fans across the country.[13] Held in cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Dharan, NKL matches are packed with energy, chants of “Kabaddi! Kabaddi!”, and local flavors like sel roti and yomari.
Kho Kho
Kho Kho is a traditional sport widely played across Nepal, especially in rural areas. It has gained national recognition through organized tournaments led by the Nepal Kho Kho Association. In 2025, Nepal’s men’s and women’s teams made history by finishing as runners-up in the Kho Kho World Cup, marking a major achievement in Nepali team sports. The game continues to grow as a symbol of cultural pride and athletic progress.[14]
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking has rapidly grown into one of Nepal’s most dynamic adventure sports. Fueled by the country’s rugged terrain and scenic diversity, it attracts both local enthusiasts and international riders. Popular biking regions include the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Annapurna Circuit, and Mustang, offering trails for all skill levels—from beginners to extreme altitude adventurers.
As a sport, mountain biking in Nepal is supported by a growing community, organized races, and professional tour operators. Events like the Yak Attack, one of the world’s highest altitude MTB races, showcase Nepal’s potential as a global mountain biking destination.
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Other ball sports
Basketball
Basketball in Nepal has grown from a school-based activity in the 1960s to a nationally organized sport. Governed by the Nepal Basketball Association (NeBA) since 1967, Nepal joined FIBA in 2000, boosting its international presence. The sport thrives in urban areas like Kathmandu, Jhapa and Pokhara, with rising youth participation and competitive leagues such as the National Basketball League (NBL). Despite infrastructure challenges, basketball continues to gain popularity and foster regional pride.
Baseball
Golf
Rugby
Netball
Handball
Racquet sport
Table Tennis
Badminton
Tennis
Squash
Individual sports
Swimming
Gaurika Singh participated at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the youngest Olympian, representing Nepal in the Women's 100m backstroke.
Cycling
Athletics
Shooting
Archery
Paragliding
Canyoning
Mountaineering and Ice Climbing
Combat sport
Karate
Taekwondo
Wushu
Martial arts
Martial arts in Nepal blend ancient traditions with modern techniques, reflecting the country’s cultural depth and warrior heritage. Governed by the International Martial Arts Association Nepal (IMAA), the scene includes diverse styles such as Karate, Kung Fu, Judo, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and traditional Gurkha combat techniques.
Training centers like Fight Club Nepal, Shaolin Nepal, and Koteshwor Taekwondo Dojang offer programs for all ages, promoting discipline, self-defense, and physical fitness. Influenced by Hindu and Buddhist philosophies, martial arts in Nepal emphasize mental focus, humility, and spiritual growth.
Boxing
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National Competition
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National Games of Nepal
The Nepal Olympic Committee and the National Sports Council hosts the National Games of Nepal every two or three years. The event is meant to identify talent for the South Asian Games, Asian Games and Olympic Games as well as develop sporting infrastructure throughout the country. The National Games have been held eight times with the first event being held in 1982 at Kathmandu.
National Sports Leagues
Franchise League
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International Competition
Olympics
Nepal first competed in the summer Olympics at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and has competed in eleven straight summer Olympics starting from the 1972 Munich Olympics. Nepal has also competed in four winter Olympic events first competing in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and last competed in the event at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. As of 2018, Nepal has not won a medal in any of the Olympic events.
Asian Games
Nepal competed at first Asian Games in 1951 at New Delhi and won its first medal at the event in the 1986 Seoul Games, winning 8 bronze medals. As of 2018, Nepal has won 2 silver medals and 22 bronze medals at the event.
South Asian Games
Nepal has competed in every edition of the South Asian Games and has hosted the event in 1984, 1999 and 2019. As of 2019, Nepal is the fourth-most successful country, winning 679 medals winning 130 gold medals, 182 silver medals and 367 bronze medals.
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Administration
National teams
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International sports events held in Nepal
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The following is a list of international sports events held in Nepal:
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Sports Awards
- NSJF Sports Award
- Pokhara Sports Award
- NNIPA Sports Award
References
Further reading
External links
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