PM Oli unveils NPL trophy

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 26: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli unveiled the winner’s trophy for the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at a ceremony held at the Dharahara premises in Sundhara on Monday. Alongside the Prime Minister, marquee players from the eight participating teams also attended the event.

The trophy features a stone sourced from Kalapathar, which has been incorporated to highlight the need to protect and promote Nepal's natural heritage, specifically the world’s highest peak, Mount Sagarmatha. 

Paras Khadka, the coordinator of NPL and secretary of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), stated, "The main attraction of the trophy is the stone brought from Kalapathar, located at the foot of Mount Sagarmatha. It aims to aid in the conservation and promotion of the world's tallest mountain, which is listed as a World Heritage Site. We also hope to boost tourism through the NPL."

The stone was transported to Kathmandu by mountaineers Nima Sherpa and Mingma Sherpa, who were also present at the unveiling ceremony. 

According to CAN spokesperson Chumbi Lama, the NPL trophy stands at a symbolic height of 8,848.86 meters, reflecting the height of Mount Sagarmatha. 

The trophy, which weighs about three kilograms, was crafted by an artisan from Mumbai, India. Made from ordinary metal, this trophy will be used as a running trophy in the NPL, while CAN will provide a similar replica trophy to the winning team.

During the ceremony, Prime Minister Oli expressed confidence that the NPL would elevate Nepali cricket to new heights. 

"Cricket is not only a dream but also a source of pride for our current generation. Let us be able to add a new dimension to Nepali cricket through this League. 

The government supports you, and I will always maintain my interest and ownership, whether I am in government or not," he stated, extending his best wishes to all the participating teams for their success.

Prime Minister Oli emphasized that the NPL would directly contribute to promoting tourism and effectively showcase Nepali youth talent on the international stage. He also commended the unique characteristics of the captains from the eight teams and wished them success. He acknowledged that the government has not been sufficiently supportive in terms of investment and expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation.

Minister for Youth and Sports Tejulal Chaudhary remarked that the NPL is garnering attention both nationally and internationally. Member Secretary Tanklal Ghising also conveyed his best wishes for the success of the NPL. 

The CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in making the league happen.

The NPL is set to commence on Saturday, with the opening match featuring the Biratnagar Kings against the Janakpur Bolts.