Nepal's T20 World Cup Appearance Highlights Cricket's Role in National Unification

Kathmandu, Magh 24: The context is Nepal's third participation in the T20 World Cup cricket tournament. Certainly, this context is a major achievement and holds great significance for Nepal and Nepalis. The World Cup matches, taking place in India and Sri Lanka, began on Saturday. The tournament commenced with the first match between Pakistan and the Netherlands in Colombo, and on the second day, Sunday (February 8), the match will be held at the famous Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India. Nepal will play all its matches at this stadium.

This is an occasion that brings equal joy to all citizens of the country. According to some concerned individuals, television sales have increased in Nepal, and the number of people acquiring the technology to watch cricket on home televisions is also extremely high. Similarly, the installation of large televisions in various places to watch Nepal's World Cup matches has also intensified. At first glance, these actions might not seem worthy of much consideration, but upon minute analysis, they carry a very significant emotional weight. There was a time when cricket was not even touched upon in Nepal.

It took many years for Nepali cricket to become 'national' and establish the first organization related to sports in Nepal. But once this sport acquired a national voice, the attraction towards it increased immensely. This attraction has increased so much that today the spectators and fans of Nepali cricket are recognized globally. Its impact is certain to be felt at Wankhede as well. A large number of Nepali cricket lovers will travel to Mumbai this time. According to public information through the media, all the tickets for the stadium seats on the days Nepal plays have been sold out. The important thing is that these globally recognized Nepali cricket fans do not belong to any specific caste, class, community, geography, or religion. They are from all walks of life. Therefore, it can be accepted that cricket has truly acquired a 'national' form.

It would not be inappropriate to say that recently its importance has also become linked with the promotion of nation-building in Nepal. In various countries, the general public accepts various symbols of nationality that unite the nation. In South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, there are many such symbols, and cricket is one of them. Similarly, an increase in the acceptance of cricket as a symbol for uniting the nation can be observed in Nepal. During the Panchayat era in Nepal, attempts were made to develop many symbols of nationality. The cap, the flag, and the cow were prominent among these. Mountains like Sagarmatha were also used as such symbols, but in reality, upon analysis, none of these achieved general acceptance nationally; this is our reality, which must be accepted. Furthermore, figures like Buddha and Janaki, which had the potential to become symbols of nationality, were not given much importance in the past. It is surprising that in the past, cricket was always dismissed as a foreign game, while football was accepted as an international sport. A very large investment was made in football, but not much achievement was gained. In contrast, there was public interest and investment in cricket. The returns are now being received; in some form or another, it is becoming a symbol of nationality and is being accepted by the common Nepali people.

In reality, nation-building is a process that continues uninterrupted in some form or another. If one attempts to understand nation-building in detail, it can be viewed in two contexts. First, the overall process of nation-building (formation), and second, the process of making an already built nation advanced and prosperous. However, both of these contexts expect one commonality: the creation of a situation where the desires and aspirations of the people living there, their society, religion-culture, and language-literature are equally accepted and expressed. Nation-building is related to the nationality of a specific geography. These issues are also related to the national identity they seek to build, and the use or intention to use state power for its construction is inherent. In this regard, cricket is important. On the other hand, nation-building is also linked to economic and physical development and the equal participation and fair utilization of the benefits of such development by all. Furthermore, the context of nation-building is also connected to the guarantee and protection of human rights. Looking at it this way, we can see the presence of both contexts of nation-building mentioned above. Based on this, some say that Nepal is still in the process of nation-building.

Based on this analysis, one can agree with the statement of scholar Paul James. He also referred to nation-building as the structure or formation of the nation. According to him, a nation is built through broad processes. The goal of nation-building is the integration of the people within the state, from which the state gains political stability and capability in the future. In conclusion, nation-building requires the integration of the people, the acceptance and inclusion of diverse ideas, perspectives, ideologies, and ideals, the consolidation of a scattered society into an integrated society, and the presence of an active state apparatus.

While accepting that the nation-builder is an important component of nation-building, a broad perspective in understanding it is essential. Generally, in our context, nation, state, and country are understood in the same sense, which is largely flawed. Attempting to understand these three words as synonyms risks the entire process of nation-building and the nation-builder being misinterpreted in a flawed manner. In some way or another, we are grappling with such risks. In reality, nation, state, and country are distinct words standing for different meanings. The nation is a cultural unit. The state is an administrative and political unit, while the country is a geographical unit. In English, the translations of these three words are Nation, State, and Country, respectively. Based on this, if we try to understand nation-building, we can agree with the process of administratively or politically binding or integrating the people (nation-builders) culturally within a political and geographical boundary. This emphasizes respecting the sentiments of all people within a specific geography with equal participation, and it is expected that the state, i.e., the administrative unit, will make the necessary arrangements legally.

The simple meaning of this is that a country, as a developed geography, can have diverse histories, cultures, values, beliefs, and ideals. The integration of all these is necessary for nation-building, which is believed to build and promote the overall nation-builder. If this happens, the sense of ownership towards the country increases, and it becomes possible for the country to assume a unified form. In short, this process is nation-building, which is expected to be led by the state.

Many elements play the role of connecting and dividing factors in the context of nation-building. Some of these are latent, and some are active. Some of these elements play the role of connecting in one context and dividing in another. Language, symbols, signs, flags, principles, ideals, ideas, structures, etc., are such elements or mediums. In some situations, this is comprehensible, and in others, it is not. Sports are one such powerful medium. In the context of nation-building, sports can almost always be considered to play the role of a connecting element.

In the context of Nepal, it would not be an exaggeration to say that cricket has also been playing a connecting role in recent days. The most recent powerful example of this is the entire Nepali cricket team playing the World Cup at Wankhede. This team is inclusive in social, cultural, linguistic, and geographical terms. Perhaps one reason why Nepali cricket receives equal love from all citizens is the inclusive nature of Nepali cricket. In reality, as discussed above, Nepal is currently in the process of becoming a nation. In this context, we must be able to develop many elements as nation-uniting elements. The role of the state is crucial here. Cricket is an example; it cannot be denied that if other aspects of the state also become fully inclusive, the process of nation-building can be positively influenced. (The author is the Executive Chairman of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti - National News Agency)