Pokhara Thunders is a professional football club representing Pokhara, one of Nepal’s most beautiful and touristic cities, in the Nepal Super League (NSL). Known for their exciting playing style, youth promotion, and strong connection to the tourism-driven city, Pokhara Thunders have quickly become fan favorites in Nepal’s emerging franchise football scene.

Overview

• Full Name: Pokhara Thunders Football Club

• Location: Pokhara, Gandaki Province, Nepal

• Founded: 2021

• League: Nepal Super League (NSL)

• Home Ground: Dasarath Stadium, Kathmandu (NSL centralized venue)

• Franchise Owner: Laxmi Motors Pvt. Ltd.

• Club Colors: Blue and White

• Nickname: The Thunders

Background – A Club Born from Adventure and Ambition

Pokhara Thunders was established as one of the seven founding franchises in the inaugural Nepal Super League 2021, designed to bring franchise football to a national audience.

Franchise Vision

• Representing Pokhara, Nepal’s second-largest city and tourism hub

• Promoting sports tourism, urban youth culture, and football professionalism

• Embodying the spirit of energy, adventure, and resilience, much like Pokhara itself

2021 NSL Season – The Debut Campaign

Pokhara Thunders had a mixed start in the 2021 NSL season:

• Mid-table finish after the round-robin stage

• Missed the playoff spots but displayed tactical improvements and energetic football

• Built a foundation of young talents combined with strategic foreign signings

Season Highlights

• Hard-fought draws against title contenders like Kathmandu RayZRs

• Showed resilience and attacking flair, winning fans with their adventurous playing style

Squad and Playing Style

Pokhara Thunders is known for their:

• Direct, attacking football

• Speed on the wings

• Emphasis on pressing and quick transitions

Notable Players (NSL 2021)

• Suman Lama – Dynamic midfielder and fan favorite

• Ulrich Siewe (Cameroon) – Strong and intelligent foreign defender

• Manish Dangi – Promising young winger who also plays for the Nepal national team

• Tanka Basnet – Local striker with good finishing instincts

Coaching and Management

In the NSL 2021 season, Pokhara Thunders was coached by Khumal Rai, a respected figure in Nepali football circles.

Club Management Approach

• Focus on professionalism and structured training regimes

• Strong emphasis on youth integration and player development

• Long-term plan to establish a football academy in Pokhara

Fanbase and Identity

Even though the NSL is centralized in Kathmandu, Pokhara Thunders proudly represents the vibrant and passionate spirit of Pokhara Valley:

• Fans from Pokhara and Gandaki Province rally behind the team

• The club’s name “Thunders” reflects the city’s dramatic weather, especially during monsoon storms, symbolizing unpredictable energy and strength

• Strong use of social media and interactive fan engagement (live chats, contests, and merchandise)

Brand Position

• Young, adventurous, and proud

• Merging tourism branding with sports culture

• Promoting Pokhara as a footballing city, not just a trekking destination

Rivalries

Emerging rivalries based on competitive matches and regional pride include:

• Kathmandu RayZRs – Challenging the capital’s supremacy

• Butwal Lumbini FC – Southern region pride clash

• FC Chitwan – Neighboring teams in the Terai-Mid Hill belt

Trivia

• Pokhara Thunders was founded in partnership with Laxmi Motors, a major automobile distributor in Nepal.

• Their motto reflects adventure and power, fitting the spirit of Pokhara’s outdoor and travel culture.

• Pokhara Thunders is one of the few clubs actively planning a football academy to nurture talents from western Nepal.