The player auction for the second edition of the Nepal Super League (NSL) was completed today in Kathmandu, with ten players sold for the maximum price of 350,000 Nepalese rupees.

The most sought-after player in the auction was Laken Limbu, the midfielder of the national football team and three stars. All nine clubs participating in the NSL wanted to buy him, but he was eventually sold to Jhapa FC through Lucky Draw.

Another national team player, Sanish Shrestha, was also in high demand, with eight teams vying for his signature. He was eventually sold to Lalitpur City FC in Lucky Draw.

The other eight players who were sold for the maximum price were:

• Sesehang Angdembe (Lalitpur City FC)
• Dinesh Heinzen (Lalitpur City FC)
• Simanta Thapa (Birganj United FC)
• Kritis Ratna Chunju (Dhangadhi FC)
• Ashish Gurung (Sporting Mechi de Ilam)
• Sudip Gurung (Birgunj United FC)
• Chiring Gurung (FC Chitwan)
• Dipesh Gurung (Kathmandu Razors)

A total of 178 players were presented in the auction, divided into A, B, and C grades. The minimum price of A-grade players was 1 lakh 50 thousand rupees, while the minimum cost of B-grade players was 1 lakh rupees, and the maximum price was 1 lakh 50 thousand rupees. The minimum price for grade players was 80,000, and the total cost was 130,000.

The second edition of the NSL will start on November 24th and will feature nine teams, including six who played in the first edition and three new ones. Each team will be allowed to sign up to six foreign players outside of the auction, and a maximum of 5 foreign players will be allowed to enter the field at a time.

Along with Kathmandu Razors, Lalitpur City FC, FC Chitwan, Dhangadhi FC, Butwal Lumbini FC and Pokhara Thunders of the first edition, three new teams, Jhapa FC, Birgunj United FC and Sporting Mechi de Ilam will compete for the title of the second edition.

Marquee players

Each team in the NSL is also allowed to have a marquee player, a top player expected to attract fans and generate excitement for the league.

The following are the marquee players for each team in the 2023 NSL season:

• Kathmandu Razors – Hishub Thapaliya
• Lalitpur City FC – Ananta Tamang
• FC Chitwan – Bishal Shrestha
• Dhangadhi FC – Ashish Chaudhary
• Butwal Lumbini FC – Eric Bista
• Pokhara Thunders – Ayush Ghalan
• Jhapa FC – Anjan Bista
• Sporting Mechi de Ilam – Bikesh Kuthu
• Birgunj United FC – Deep Karki

Ilam will face Kathmandu Razors in the opening match of the NSL on November 24th, with the final scheduled to be held on December 30th.