The highly anticipated Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket tournament began in Kathmandu on Saturday. Organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the country’s first franchise cricket league has created a buzz among players and fans alike, making the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur feel like a festive hub of cricket.
CAN has focused on upgrading the “Home of Nepali Cricket” and attracting renowned international players to elevate the league’s standard.
A Multifaceted Impact
The NPL, led by CAN, holds significance beyond sports, influencing Nepal politically, economically, and socio-culturally. As CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand stated during the pre-match press conference, November 30 marked “the start of a new era for Nepali cricket.”
However, the opening day also exposed shortcomings in event management, with reports of crowd mismanagement leading to injuries among fans and police.
Injuries Amid Chaos
A stampede at the gates injured eight individuals, including police officers and spectators. Injured fans were rushed to various hospitals, with a 26-year-old police officer receiving further treatment at Neuro Hospital in Bansbari after initial care.
The chaos began as the high demand for tickets exceeded stadium capacity. Fans with online tickets were dissatisfied after being denied entry. Tensions escalated when police intervened with baton charges to control unruly crowds attempting to force their way into the venue.
Ticketing Issues and Criticism
Despite being sold out days prior, ticket management was criticized, with some fans alleging overselling and miscommunication by ticketing partner Khalti. Many were left stranded outside the stadium despite purchasing tickets. CAN officials, including Paras Khadka, requested fans to stay home via social media, but frustrations boiled over when thousands showed up regardless.
Need for Better Management
The opening day highlighted CAN’s challenges in crowd management and infrastructure planning. Incidents like these are a reminder of the 1988 Dasarath Stadium tragedy, which claimed 93 lives due to a lack of safety measures. Effective crowd management is essential to avoid such disasters.
As fans climbed trees to watch the game and some witnessed tickets being sold at the venue despite claims of being sold out, CAN faced calls for transparency and improvement. Former CAN President Binay Raj Pandey emphasized the need for better crowd management, stating, “With more significant games, more fans will come, and CAN prioritize managing them effectively.”
Lessons for the Future
The opening day of the NPL served as a wake-up call for CAN to address its organizational shortcomings. While the league has elevated Nepali cricket’s stature, its management must adapt to the growing enthusiasm of fans. Failure to address these issues could undermine the league’s reputation and future success.
The incidents underline the need for CAN to balance its leadership ambitions with efficient planning and execution to sustain the credibility of Nepali cricket.
