TU Ultimatum Puts Future of Nepal’s TU Cricket Ground in Uncertainty

Tribhuvan University has issued a 35 day ultimatum to several institutions to vacate land under its ownership, drawing national attention to a dispute that now sits at the intersection of education policy, public investment, and the future of Nepali cricket. The notice, published on Baisakh 4, targets 18 organizations accused of occupying more than 2,000 ropanis of university land. Among them is the Cricket Association of Nepal, which has long used the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground as the country’s primary international venue.

The timing of the notice is not incidental. The 25 year lease agreement under which the Cricket Association of Nepal has been using the ground is set to expire this Baisakh. This expiry appears to have prompted the university to include the cricket body in its directive. Tribhuvan University has justified its move by pointing to disruptions caused during major sporting events, stating that academic and research activities are often affected for extended periods when large scale matches are hosted on campus.

The relationship between the two institutions dates back to 2002, when the cricket association signed an agreement with the university through the National Sports Council. At the time, according to former CAN secretary Binayraj Pandey, the site was far from a formal sports venue and was instead used informally as a motorcycle practice ground. Over the years, however, it has been transformed into a structured cricket facility complete with parapets and floodlights, enabling Nepal to host international fixtures.

Significant public investment has underpinned this transformation. The government has reportedly spent close to two billion rupees to upgrade the ground into an international standard venue. In the last fiscal year alone, approximately 850 million rupees were allocated for improvements, including 437.7 million for parapet construction and 421.9 million for floodlight installation. Additional funds have also been directed toward upgrading the pitch and outfield. Plans are underway for further expansion under a second phase, with long term projections estimating a total cost of around 10 billion rupees to fully develop the stadium in line with an approved master plan from a previous administration.

Despite this level of investment, the university’s ultimatum has introduced a sense of uncertainty into Nepali cricket. The Tribhuvan University ground remains the country’s primary venue for international matches. With the Mulpani Cricket Ground not yet fully operational, even domestic competitions such as the Nepal Premier League continue to rely on this facility.

Former CAN president Binayraj Pandey has warned that losing the ground would deal an irreparable blow to the sport. He argues that Nepal currently lacks alternative venues capable of hosting international matches and stresses that the issue cannot be resolved through confrontation. Instead, he calls for a negotiated settlement that serves the interests of both the university and the cricketing community.

Similar concerns have been echoed by CAN spokesperson Chhumbi Lama, who has stated that the absence of the Tribhuvan University ground would push Nepali cricket significantly backward. The cricket association has made clear its intention to renew the lease and continue its operations at the venue.

Efforts toward that end are already underway. A CAN board meeting held on Chaitra 23 decided to formally request the government, through the National Sports Council, to extend the lease agreement. Letters have since been sent to both the council and the Ministry of Youth and Sports seeking renewal.

There are indications that a resolution may be within reach. Minister for Youth and Sports Sasmita Pokharel has stated that discussions with university officials, including the vice chancellor, have been positive. According to the minister, the government is not in favor of vacating the ground but rather intends to renew the lease agreement, emphasizing that substantial state resources have already been invested in the facility. The ground, she noted, is a public asset, and a renewed lease framework is the logical path forward.

The controversy ultimately reflects a broader policy tension. On one hand, Tribhuvan University is asserting its institutional autonomy and prioritizing its academic mission. On the other, the cricket ground has evolved into a national sporting asset with deep symbolic and economic value. As Nepali cricket continues to gain international traction, any disruption to its primary venue risks undermining years of progress.

What is required now is not a zero sum outcome but a coordinated institutional response. Aligning the interests of higher education and national sports development will be crucial. The decisions taken in the coming weeks will not only determine the fate of a cricket ground but also signal how Nepal balances competing priorities in the stewardship of public resources.