Melbourne, Australia – Maximax Education & Migration Services, the Melbourne-headquartered educational and migration consultancy with branches across Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines and beyond, has officially appointed Nepali women’s national team captain Sabitra “Samba” Bhandari as its newest brand ambassador, signing a three-year agreement to promote its mission and outreach.

The announcement was formalized through a ceremonial signing between Samba and Maximax Director Rojen Danai, spotlighting the consultancy’s commitment to inspiring young minds via sports and education synergy.

“I’ve dreamt for years of representing a consultancy brand,” said Samba, who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women competition. “I’m deeply grateful to Maximax for making this dream a reality. I hope my journey – from grassroots football in Nepal to Europe and now Australia – can motivate the next generation.”

Following the agreement, Shankar Dharel, CEO of Maximax’s head office, remarked, ‘Partnering with Samba reflects Maximax’s mission to empower through ambition and global opportunity. Her journey from Nepal to European football and now the A-League embodies breaking boundaries. We’re proud to have her as our face and believe her story will inspire students and professionals worldwide.

Sabitra “Samba” Bhandari—born on May 23, 1996, in Lamjung, Nepal—has forged a career that few in South Asia have matched. An unstoppable forward, she has become Nepal’s all-time leading goal scorer, netting 66 goals in 60 matches as of mid-2025.

Her club exploits include dominating the Indian Women’s League with Sethu FC and Gokulam Kerala, tallying an astonishing 60+ goals across 24 matches. Samba broke new ground in 2024 by becoming the first Nepali player to play—and score—in a top-tier European league, turning out for En Avant Guingamp in France’s Division 1 Féminine.

Her superstar status grew with three consecutive hat-tricks during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in mid-2025, leading the way for Nepal’s high-scoring victories over Laos and Sri Lanka. On June 29, 2025, she was handed the captain’s armband by ANFA, recognizing her leadership both on and off the pitch.

Earlier this July, Samba signed a landmark two-season deal with Wellington Phoenix FC, becoming the first Nepali woman to compete in the A-League Women, a highly competitive Australian-based league played out of New Zealand. Club and observers alike hailed it as a “huge coup” and a powerful statement for women’s football in South Asia.