NPL fever spills into politics as top leaders rush to wish tournament success

With the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) underway, cricket has become a talking point in political circles, with Prime Minister Balen Shah and leaders of major political parties taking to social media to wish the tournament success.

From Rabi Lamichhane, chair of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), to Gagan Kumar Thapa, president of the main opposition Nepali Congress, political leaders have extended their best wishes for the success of the NPL.

Former prime ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Baburam Bhattarai, along with Speaker DP Aryal and National Assembly Chair Narayan Dahal, have also conveyed their messages.

Senior Nepali Congress vice-president Bishwa Prakash Sharma and general secretary Pradip Paudel have also publicly expressed their views on the cricket tournament.

The messages from political leaders on the occasion of the NPL show that sports are no longer confined to competition on the playing field. Cricket’s popularity, its association with national pride and its appeal among young people have made it an important subject for political leaders to express their public interest.

Statements on matters of public concern through social media have increasingly become part of political leaders’ public presence.

NPL as a national celebration

Along with wishing players good performances and tournament success, the leaders’ messages have highlighted the development of Nepali cricket, identification of young talent, sports tourism, the national economy and the expansion of Nepal’s international profile.

Prime Minister Balen described the NPL as Nepal’s biggest sporting festival, saying it had rapidly developed into a major sporting event.

In a Facebook post, he wrote, “Nepal’s biggest sporting festival, the Nepal Premier League (NPL), begins today. In a short period, the NPL has succeeded in becoming a grand sporting festival.”

The prime minister welcomed international players and commentators participating in the tournament and extended his best wishes to Nepali players, organisers and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).

“I warmly welcome all international players and commentators who have come to participate in the league,” he wrote. “I also extend my best wishes to all Nepali players, organisers and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) working to make this wonderful sporting festival a success. Long live Nepali cricket.”

On Monday, Prime Minister Balen visited the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur to inaugurate the tournament. He interacted with players and handed the ball to the match referee.

He also thanked CAN officials and members, franchise teams, sponsors and everyone involved in management for helping Nepali cricket reach its current level.

Nepali Congress president Thapa noted that years of struggle, hard work and dedication had gone into bringing Nepali cricket to its present position.

“Years of struggle, hard work and dedication lie behind Nepali cricket reaching the position it holds today,” he wrote on Facebook, extending his best wishes to players, participating teams, CAN and cricket enthusiasts.

Remembering the players, coaches and cricket fans who have contributed to the development of the sport despite limited resources and numerous challenges, Thapa expressed confidence that Nepali cricket would reach greater heights in the coming days.

RSP chair Lamichhane described the NPL as a national festival of Nepali sports, saying the tournament demonstrated the strength and potential of the country’s sporting sector.

“The third edition of the NPL, a national festival of Nepali sports, begins today (Monday),” he wrote on Facebook. “This success is a strong example of the strength and potential of Nepali sports.”

Lamichhane’s message placed particular emphasis on confidence in the country’s abilities.

“This success conveys one message: ‘We can do it,’” he wrote, wishing the third edition of the NPL great success.

CPN coordinator Prachanda expressed confidence that the NPL would contribute to the development of Nepali cricket and the identification and nurturing of talent.

“While honouring all players, coaches and cricket enthusiasts who have contributed to bringing Nepali cricket to its current level, I believe this tournament will further contribute to the development of Nepali cricket and the identification and promotion of talent,” he wrote on Facebook before the tournament began. “Best wishes to all teams for excellent performances.”

Former prime minister Bhattarai expressed hope that the participation of international players and the use of technology such as the Decision Review System (DRS) would help raise the NPL’s international profile and promote sports tourism in Nepal.

“It is welcome that the third season of the ICC-recognised NPL cricket tournament features leading international players and the use of DRS technology to review umpires’ decisions,” he wrote on Facebook, extending his best wishes.

He added that the tournament could play a significant role in introducing Nepal to people around the world, establishing the country as a new international sporting destination and developing sports tourism.

Shortly before Monday’s opening match, Bhattarai also posted photographs, including one showing Prime Minister Balen shaking hands with Lumbini Lions player Sher Malla, wishing for an exciting opening game.

“May the first match of NPL-3 be exciting! Whoever wins, may the victory belong to good sporting spirit,” he wrote.

Speaker Aryal also noted that the NPL, which will run for a month at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, was increasingly establishing itself as an important celebration of Nepali sports.

“Compared with the previous two editions, the participation of more prominent foreign players this time has made the NPL more visible in the international cricket arena,” he wrote on Facebook on Monday. “The fact that this tournament, recognised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), has expanded its international identity in such a short period is a positive achievement for Nepali cricket. The organising body, CAN, deserves appreciation for this.”

Aryal expressed confidence that the NPL would make a significant contribution to the development of Nepali cricket, the promotion of sports tourism and the stimulation of the national economy.

Welcoming all players, commentators and others associated with cricket who had arrived in Nepal for the tournament, he wished all participating teams excellent performances and the third edition of the NPL great success.

National Assembly Chair Dahal also noted that the NPL could contribute to the development of professional cricket, sports tourism and the national economy.

“Sports play an important role in strengthening national unity, discipline, harmony and the spirit of healthy competition,” he said in a statement. “The NPL has been making a significant contribution to increasing young people’s interest in sports and their confidence, while raising the country’s pride and identity to greater heights internationally.”

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress senior vice-president Sharma expressed happiness over Nepal’s goal against Brazil at the ongoing FIFA Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, alongside the start of the NPL in Kathmandu.

Noting that the NPL was bringing people together, Sharma extended his best wishes to all eight competing teams.

“At a time of national excitement, with the Nepal Premier League bringing us all together, best wishes to all competing teams,” he wrote on Facebook. “Best wishes as well to our teenage players competing on the field at the FIFA U-15 World Cup currently underway in Azerbaijan.”

Nepali Congress general secretary Paudel also wished all participating teams and players excellent performances in the NPL.

He noted that sports today have become more than a source of entertainment, serving as a powerful means of nurturing young talent and enhancing the nation’s international standing.

Paudel said major tournaments such as the NPL play an important role in developing a sporting culture, creating new opportunities for young people, stimulating the national economy, expanding sports tourism and strengthening the country’s reputation internationally.

“I extend my heartfelt best wishes for the complete success of the third edition of the NPL, and to all players, managers, organisers and cricket enthusiasts at home and abroad,” he wrote on Facebook.

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