Boost Sports Arena

Bini Dahal

So far, the year 2023 has been good for the Nepali cricket. The country’s national team has recently qualified for the T20 World Cup Cricket to be held in June 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). The under-19 Nepali cricket team has also shown its potential by successfully placing itself on the list of qualifiers to play in the U-19 Cricket World Cup, 2024. 

Looking at Nepal’s participation in various international sports competitions, it is evident that the country is way behind. We have suffered a lot of losses in games. The existing sports infrastructures are inadequate and the national-level players are not provided with enough facilities and necessary exposure. 

The recent successes of the cricket team indicate that the players do have the ability to head-on compete with more experienced and excellent players from other countries. It’s just that their potential needs to be harnessed with the right guidance and support.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has recently disclosed the government’s plan to build a cricket stadium as a national pride project. It is a good thing that the government has recognised the potential of the players, the growing interest and attachment among the public towards the sports and the need to invest and develop sports facilities. 

The government has released the prize amount for the cricketers. A total of Rs. 15.75 billion has been released for three of the games-- ACC Men’s Premier Cup, ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup-Asia Qualifier and ICC Cricket World Cup League-2. It has also has allocated incentives for the cricketers and the head coach for their wonderful performance. Though delayed, this crucial initiative will surely motivate and support the players to do better in the coming days. 

A growing number of private sector sponsors has been supporting the cricket games taking place in the homeland. Such sponsorships and advertising highlight the private sector’s interest, too. In this situation, such collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector could really aid the nation’s sports sector in the days to come. 

Not just cricket, Nepal holds immense potential in other sporting activities as well. For this, a little bit extra effort and push from the government combined with the hardwork of the players and the assistance of the coaches may bring wonders. 

Up until now, Nepal has made itself popular in the global arena through its rich natural resources, including Sagarmatha and other peaks. The country should now focus on saving a spot for itself in the international arena through sports. Concerned authorities and other stakeholders should take the matter seriously. Policies and plans should be executed in a successful manner. And the government should stop giving empty promises and rather deliver results through actions. 

With consistent effort and step-by-step development, Nepal’s sports can reach a top level. We will have to keep up the effort in this matter. Utilisation of budget and the development of sports infrastructure should be the priority. 

Also sports development should be the key priority from a young age, encouraging children and youths to be a part of sports is beneficial for them as well as for the country. The interest in sporting activities should be developed among children. Sports need to be part of the school curriculum. Only then can we get to see standard sports.