In March of last year, the Lumbini state government itself decided to honor 6 sportsmen of Lumbini state with Rs. This step of the state government was a sign to understand how Lumbini is known as a state that produces cricket players.

In this province, the final preparations are being made for the Prime Minister's Cup Men's ODI National Cricket Tournament, which will run from February 25 to March 16. That too in three stadiums of the province.

Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) has selected two playgrounds in Rupandehi in Lumbini province and one in Lamhi in Dang. Out of the three, Siddharth Rangshala in Bhairawa and Deukhuri International Cricket Ground in Lamhi were built by the government. Extratech Oval, which is being built with private investment for commercial purposes in Tilottama Municipality of Rupandehi, will be held at the ground.

Why is this game that is going to be held in the province meaningful, if for the first time outside of Kathmandu, the entire competition is being completed in one province . According to CAN, out of the 46 matches of the tournament, 17 matches will be played at Siddharth Ranglasha in Bhairahawa, 15 matches will be played at the Extratech Oval Cricket Ground in Tilottama and 14 matches will be played at Lamhi in Dang.

Some of the matches of the last edition of the Prime Minister's Cup were held at the Siddharth Stadium in Rupandehi. 7 provincial and 3 departmental teams are participating in the competition. Each team will play each other . Shakti Gauchan, former international player and current coach of Nepali cricket game, expressed his happiness that CAN has given the impression that there is infrastructure for the game outside the capital by choosing Lumbini province for the first time for this important game. "Such an important match is being held outside the capital for the first time in Lumbini province, what could be a greater joy for a sports fan than this," he said. He said that the private sector playground that has been prepared in Tilottama municipality has full capacity to play national games.

5 flood lights have been installed for the first time in Nepal at the Extratech Oval Cricket Stadium in Tilottama. The owner claims that this is the first cricket ground in Nepal where cricket can be played even at night with the installation of flood lights.

Vinod Kunwar, Director of Extratech Oval Stadium in Tilotta, said that 5 flood lights have been installed at a cost of 7 crores. "After completing the light connection work on Monday, we are now testing it," he said, "We are making all the necessary preparations to play the Prime Minister's Cup men's cricket tournament." He said that there have been more than 100 games since last February. Kunwar, the owner, said that the construction started at a cost of 500 million, so far more than 150 million has been spent on the ground.

Kunwar, who is teaching technology-related business and education in Australia, is building a playground with private investment. The stadium director Surya Kunwar said that the pitch is in the final stage for net practice as well. He said that the construction of 2 four-storey buildings, VIP box, player box, changing room and media box has reached the final stage. He said that 50 percent more financial progress of the project costing about 500 million with a parapit with a capacity of 25,000 spectators has also been achieved.

President of Nepal Cricket Association Lumbini Sanjay Gurung said that he is very happy that Lumbini province got the opportunity to play all matches of PM Cup cricket for the first time. He said that along with the production of players, Lumbini Province is also becoming capable in the field of playing competitions. "All the senior players will be able to play outside the capital for the first time in a different environment, this is a very important opportunity in terms of experience," he said, "all the three grounds in Lumbini are good and have reached the standard." He said that all 46 games of the

final tournament will be played at Siddharth, Tilottama and Lamhi playgrounds in Lumbini. He said that both the sports fields in Rupandehi are at a distance of 4 to 15 km from the Gautam Budh International Airport and there is no problem in the management of the games as there are enough hotels. "Lamhi also has enough hotels with facilities," he said. He said that since Lumbini province played 11 matches in last year's competition, they have experience in everything.

What are the three sports grounds of Lumbini

Siddharth Rangshala

Siddharth Rangshala in Bhairawa has a practice place and an academy in addition to the cricket ground. This is the first stadium in Nepal where a 50-over 1-day match is held at the district level. About 100 international and more than 200 national players have been produced from here, former international player and coach Shakti Gauchan said. Siddharth Rangshala, once known as a venue for fairs and political meetings, is now an attraction for cricket lovers across the country. Gauchan said that there have been more than 200 national and district level competitions here so far. There will be 17 matches of PM Cup cricket at Siddharth Stadium.

Extratech oval in Tilottma

Under construction in Tilottma Municipality-17 Darkhaswa with the investment of Vinod Kunwar of Gulmi, who is doing business in Australia, it is the first commercial cricket ground in the country built by the private sector . The ground, which started construction in May 2080, became playable in February 2080. The Legends Cup cricket tournament was completed with the inauguration on February 28. Owner Kunwar said that more than 100 games have been played since last February at the extratech oval playground in Tilotta. Nepal's under-19 World Cup women's team and Nepal Premier League team Lumbini Lions practiced on this ground.

Deukhuri International Cricket Ground Preparations for the

tournament have also been accelerated at the Deukhuri International Cricket Ground in Dang. Kailash Roka, secretary of Nepal Cricket Association Lumbini Province and coordinator of Deukhuri International Cricket Ground, informed that the ground preparation, pitch construction, spectator management, security structure strengthening and other physical infrastructure maintenance work are going on at a fast pace.

Team of Nepal Cricket Association (CAN), officials of Lumbini Pradesh Cricket Association have finalized the Deukhuri International Cricket Ground for the PM Cup Cricket Tournament after on-site inspection. President of Nepal Cricket Association Dang, Pradeep Majagainya said that the work of the pitch, which is considered very important for the tournament, has been completed and other work required according to the standards of the game is being done at a fast pace. The Deukhuri International Cricket Ground is being constructed by the Lamhi Urban Development Committee at a cost of 100 million.