Kathmandu: Nepal Premier League franchise Karnali Yaks have selected three players through a talent hunt.

According to a statement from the Yaks, Hikmat Bahadur Shahi from Dailekh, Bhuwan Bhandari from Rukum and Kailash Khadka from Surkhet were selected through the talent hunt.

The Yaks conducted the talent hunt in Surkhet and Salyan ahead of the third edition of the Nepal Premier League scheduled to take place from October 26 to November 21.

Altogether, 206 players participated in the talent hunt in Surkhet, while more than 100 players took part in Salyan, according to the Yaks.

Yaks consultant coach Raju Basnet led the talent hunt.

Coach Basnet said he was encouraged by the highest-ever participation, adding that the turnout indicated growing enthusiasm for cricket in Karnali.

The three selected players will now be placed in a training camp, after which one player will earn a place in the final selection of Karnali Yaks.

Karnali Yaks players Bipin Sharma, Yunus Bikram Singh, Diwan Pun, Dipendra Rawat, Sachin Sharma and Surya Tamang, along with team analyst Ravi Thapa, also participated in the talent hunt.

Hari Bahadur Rokaya feted as Karnali Yaks Hero

Meanwhile, the Yaks also honored former Nepali athlete and coach Hari Bahadur Rokaya as a Karnali Yaks Hero.

Karnali Province Chief Minister Mangal Bahadur Shahi and Karnali Yaks Sports Pvt Ltd Chairman Gahendra Ghimire honored Rokaya.

Rokaya was presented with a cash prize of Rs 250,000. He will also serve as the team’s brand ambassador.