Nepali national women’s volleyball team star Pratibha Mali on Tuesday was named the brand ambassador by the newly launched sports apparel producer Sahas Sports.

Sahas, which was formally launched in Kathmandu on Tuesday, also sponsored the women’s volleyball team of New Diamond Academy (NDA). As per the deal Mali, the national team spiker and NDA captain, will get Rs 120,000 in cash as well as sports gears worth Rs 50,000 for the next one year. NDA will also get volleyball kits worth Rs 175,000 for one year.

Managing Director of Sahas Janak Neupane inked the memorandum of understandings with both NDA President Gunakeshari Mali and Pratibha. The 16-year old volleyball star said: “Volleyball is one of the most popular game in the country and I hope this association with volleyball will help raise the profile of the company.”

Mali is one of the most popular spikers of the country and is among a handful of women players to ply the trade abroad. She was declared the most valuable player in the Maldives volleyball league last year besides winning the title of best foreigner player and queen of match (best player) in four matches playing for Miskiymagu Emmenge Gulhun.

NDA is among one of the most successful volleyball teams in recent times apart from the departmental clubs—Army, Police and APF—at the domestic circuit. NDA clinched four national titles last season: National Women’s Volleyball, Club League Volleyball Championship, APF IGP Cup and Didi-Bahini Cup. Sahas MD Neupane said that his company was proud to be associated with volleyball and promised to be join hands with other sports as well in coming days.