Karnali Bets Big on Cricket With Permanent Grounds Planned for Birendranagar

Karnali Province is making a stronger push to turn cricket into a lasting part of its sports landscape, with Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel announcing plans for permanent cricket grounds in Birendranagar. The move signals a shift from temporary facilities to long-term infrastructure designed to support both elite competition and grassroots development.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Under-19 National Women's Cricket Tournament, Kandel said the provincial government is committed to building durable sports facilities rather than relying on short-term arrangements. His comments come as Karnali continues to position itself as a serious host for major national events.

A long-term sports strategy

The chief minister’s message was clear: Karnali wants permanent cricket infrastructure that can serve athletes for years, not just for a single tournament cycle. That approach matters in a province where sports development has often depended on delayed projects and incomplete facilities.

Public sports records already show that cricket ground construction in Birendranagar has been a priority in recent years, including earlier provincial efforts to establish dedicated cricket facilities in the municipality. The new announcement appears to build on that direction, but with a stronger emphasis on permanence and long-term use.

10th National Games remain a key target

Kandel also said Karnali is ready to host the 10th National Games, but progress has slowed because of delays from the federal government. That friction has left the province waiting for momentum on large-scale sporting projects that require coordination across levels of government.

The delay is especially significant because Karnali has already invested in broader sports infrastructure, including the multi-purpose Karnali Province Stadium in Surkhet. The stadium project has been presented as a major centerpiece for the province’s sporting future, while cricket-specific facilities remain an important missing piece.

Why Birendranagar matters

Birendranagar has become the focal point of Karnali’s sports ambitions because it offers the clearest path to building a cricket ecosystem that can support women’s and men’s competitions, training, and tournament hosting. Permanent grounds would give the province a more stable base for scheduling national-level events and developing local talent.

For young cricketers, especially the women competing in the Under-19 tournament, better infrastructure could mean more consistent access to proper pitches, safer playing conditions, and a clearer route to higher-level competition.

What this means for Karnali

If the province follows through, the new cricket grounds could become one of the most important sports investments in Karnali’s recent history. They would complement the province’s larger stadium push and help transform Surkhet and Birendranagar into a more credible destination for national sports.

For now, the announcement is a promise with political weight. The next challenge is execution: securing funding, avoiding delays, and turning cricket infrastructure into something permanent, visible, and ready for competition.