Bagmati Province Government Invests in Cricket Stadium in Hetauda

Hetauda. The Bagmati Province government has prepared a cricket ground at the Gauritar Stadium in Hetauda-6 with its investment.

The Gauritar International Stadium has been constructed in Hetauda with the investment of the provincial government, in line with the goal of decentralizing cricket activities centered in Kathmandu and building international-standard grounds in the districts.

The cricket ground, built with the investment of the provincial government, was inaugurated at a program on Sunday. With the impressive performance of Nepali cricket on the international stage in recent times, the need for the cricket infrastructure built by the provincial government has further increased.

Paras Khadka, Secretary of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), describes the completion of an international-level cricket ground in the province and the start of sports activities as a historic moment for Nepali sports. Secretary Khadka, who arrived in Hetauda for the inauguration of the cricket ground, said that it took a lot of effort to build a cricket ground from land that was once a jungle and a pit.

He stated that this investment by the provincial government has played a role in further advancing the future of Nepali cricket. He added that the ground will play a role in the development of physical infrastructure, the career development of players, and making Nepal a hub for world cricket.

Edited excerpts from a conversation with CAN Secretary Khadka focused on the Gauritar Cricket Ground and CAN's future roadmap:

• The cricket stadium has been completed in Gauritar, Hetauda, and matches have started from today. As a cricket personality and CAN Secretary, how do you view this?

This is a very happy and historic moment. The process of building this ground started about three and a half to four years ago. At that time, member secretary Surya Bhandari brought the plan to build a cricket ground. Initially, there were only jungles and large pits here. Many did not believe that a ground would be built here. But now, with the assurance of budget and the special initiative of the current member secretary Deepak Lama, it has been completed. This is the first ground of the Bagmati Province Cricket Association, which is a great achievement for us.

• This is an exemplary work by the provincial government in investing in sports infrastructure. What is your suggestion to other provincial governments for building such infrastructure?

Instead of dreaming of building many large and grand stadiums at once, we should build many grounds that can accommodate 5 to 10 thousand spectators. Considering Nepal's geographical structure, different sports are popular in different provinces, and infrastructure should be built keeping that in mind. Also, instead of announcing new plans, we should quickly complete the structures that are under construction or are being built. It is the need of the hour to implement the budget practically, not just on paper.

• What will be CAN's role in the sustainable management and operation of this stadium, and how will coordination with the provincial government be?

We will look at the legal provisions and create a strong coordination mechanism between the Bagmati Provincial Cricket Association and the Provincial Sports Development Council. Our belief is that the sports association related to the sports infrastructure should be responsible for its management and operation. The Makwanpur District Cricket Association and the Provincial Association are ready for this.

Now, regarding the role CAN will play in sports infrastructure management, we will coordinate with the government in the technical sector. CAN is striving to provide technical information to the government regarding making the ground and pitch of international standard.

• How is CAN trying to connect cricket players with the provincial government? What role will this stadium play in the development of players and the identification of new talent?

There is a world of difference between having infrastructure and not having it. Now, the players here have a place to practice throughout the year. When young students from schools and colleges see such a ground and watch games being played here, their interest in cricket increases. A ground is the first condition for talent identification. We are planning to take this to an academy format and add necessary training facilities. CAN will coordinate with the provincial government in a planned manner on this matter.

CAN will make necessary preparations for conducting NPL or national-level games. Some structures need to be built on this ground. We will move forward by discussing that matter as well. The pitch of this ground is among the top 2-3 best pitches. With some budget expenditure, it should be made capable of hosting national and international games.

We need to move forward by making preparations for players to practice and for conducting games. Two teams of the NPL, Chitwan Rhinos and Kathmandu Gurkhas, can take this ground as their home ground for practice. It would be good for the preservation, utilization, and development of infrastructure to move forward in that direction.

• What is the possibility of organizing professional leagues or major international games here in the future?

Hetauda is the capital of Bagmati Province. Now it can also become a 'hub' for cricket. Sports infrastructure can not only be dynamic but also move forward commercially. Local businesses will also thrive.

As far as international games are concerned, if we have 2-3 such well-equipped grounds, we can make Nepal an international cricket center. Our national team is performing well on the world stage. Now that the infrastructure is ready, it will not take long for major international tournaments to be organized in Nepal.