Extratech Oval Cricket Stadium gives hope to Nepali cricket community

By Kapil Gyawali,Siddharthanagar, Mar. 10: The rise of Nepal’s national cricket teams on the global stage in the lack of enough infrastructure has been admired and respected not only by millions of Nepalis but also by many abroad; and one thought is common among them all: Nepal needs proper international-level cricket stadiums.

While the government has several projects for international-level cricket stadiums, the delay in implementing and completing them at the earliest has dismayed Nepal’s cricket fanbase. 

In such a scenario, Gulmi’s Binod Kunwar and his wife Sadikshya have started the construction of Extratech Oval Cricket Stadium in Ward No. 17 of Tilottama Municipality in Rupandehi district. Kunwar, who works in the IT sector in Australia, is investing over Rs. 400 million for the world-class venue. Kunwar has received gratitude from millions of Nepalis in person and electronically for the investment.

The foundation stone for the ground was laid on June 13, 2023. In nine months, the cricket ground and pitch are ready to host matches. Other physical infrastructure around the ground will be completed soon, informed Kunwar.

Madhav Pathak, who has worked as a curator of Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE, has been given the responsibility of Extratech Oval Cricket Stadium’s ground and pitch. “The foundation stone for the parapet and other infrastructure will be laid within a week after we host the ‘Tilottama Extratech Legend Cup’ on March 11,” said Kunwar.

The Legend Cup will represent the inauguration of the ground and will be played between four teams. As the name of the cup suggests, legendary national men’s team players will be playing in it. The 1996 squad that played the first international cricket match for Nepal, 2014’s ICC T20 World Cup-playing squad, Rupandehi Legends and Rest of Nepal are the four teams participating in the cup.

Former national team captain Paras Khadka, currently the secretary of the Cricket Association of Nepal, will captain the 2014 squad while LB Chhetri is captaining the 1996 squad. Likewise, Kalam Ali, one of the coaches of Nepal ‘A’, will lead Rest of Nepal and Hari Bahadur Thapa will lead Rupandehi Legends. 

“The overall masterplan of the stadium has been divided into five phases. The first phase, which is the ground, has been completed at around Rs. 70 million. Around 6,000 fans can watch matches on the ground currently. The parapet is under construction and will cost around Rs. 180 million,” said Kunwar, who added, “There is a lack of stadiums in Nepal at a time when the cricket craze is over the charts. I am determined to complete the stadium and provide one more good infrastructure for our cricket.”

Moreover, the stadium is being constructed in Rupandehi, a district which has produced several national cricket players such as Shakti Gauchan, Raju Khadka, Basanta Regmi, Sushan Bhari, Kushal Malla, Dev Khanal, Amrit Bhattarai and Indu Barma. 

Also, former national cricketer Shakti Gauchan is the Brand Ambassador of the stadium. 

“The stadium will also have an academy, training centre and hostel. The four-storey academy building will accommodate up to 100 young cricketers,” said Gauchan.

“The stadium can host any international matches as it is being constructed as per the standards. Once completed, the stadium will be able to accommodate 25,000 viewers,” Gauchan stressed.