NPL Trophy Tour reaches Kathmandu

By A Staff Reporter.Kathmandu, Nov. 13:The second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Trophy Tour was held in the Kathmandu Valley on Wednesday.

After a nationwide tour with other NPL teams, the Kathmandu Gurkhas brought the trophy to Basantapur, displaying it at several cultural and religious heritage sites across the city.

The tour began on Wednesday morning at Pashupatinath and passed through Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur before arriving at Basantapur Durbar in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu Gurkhas’ captain Karan KC carried the trophy around the Basantapur Durbar area. Goodwill ambassadors Mandekaji Shrestha, Bikesh Kuthu, Santoshi Shrestha, Poonam Chand, and Sita Tamang, along with players, supporters, and well-wishers, joined the event.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) created the NPL trophy last year. To add significance and symbolise the height of Mount Everest, a stone from Kalapatthar near Everest was placed at the top of the trophy.

The stone was included to promote the protection and celebration of Nepal’s natural treasure, Mount Everest. The trophy has been given a symbolic height of 8,848.86 metres, matching Everest’s actual elevation.

Weighing around three kilograms, the trophy was crafted by artisans in Mumbai, India. Made from simple metal, it will serve as the running trophy for the NPL.

CAN will present a replica of the trophy to the winning team. If any team wins the title three times in a row, they will be allowed to keep the original trophy permanently.

This year’s NPL will begin on 17 November. Eight teams will compete for the title: defending champions Janakpur Bolts, last year’s runners-up Sudurpaschim Royals, Karnali Yaks, Pokhara Avengers, Biratnagar Kings, Chitwan Rhinos, Kathmandu Gurkhas, and Lumbini Lions.

For the first time, NPL matches will be played under floodlights. The schedule has already been released, with the opening match set between Janakpur Bolts and Kathmandu Gurkhas. The NPL will be live broadcasted on Star Sports for second time in a row. The TU Cricket Ground is being facelifted with parapeet and floodllights installed.