Lease the Future, Don’t Lose It

The sudden issuance of a 35-day ultimatum by Tribhuvan University (TU) to 18 organisations operating on its land has reignited a sensitive and far-reaching debate over the future of the Kirtipur Cricket Stadium. What might have otherwise remained a routine administrative notice has instead triggered widespread concern, speculation and public anxiety over whether Nepal’s most iconic cricket venue could face disruption at a time when it is finally emerging as a symbol of national sporting pride. This concern is neither exaggerated nor misplaced. The Kirtipur Stadium is not just another patch of leased land under bureaucratic negotiation. It has, over the past years, evolved into the heartbeat of Nepali cricket. With government investment of nearly Rs 100 million for infrastructure upgrades—including parapets and floodlights—and a broader master plan of around Rs 1 billion for future development, the stadium now stands as one of the most significant state-backed sports infrastructures in the country. It has already hosted the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 2 successfully and is currently a venue for ICC World Cup League 2 matches. At a time when Nepal is steadily carving its identity in international cricket, such infrastructure is not merely symbolic—it is strategic.