The excitement of the second edition of the Nepal Premium League (NPL) continues at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur. But those in the university leadership are commenting that this excitement is affecting the university's educational and academic activities.

There are some events behind their comments. Which explains the 'side effects' of the competition, which involves thousands of spectators and requires sensitivity from a security perspective, within the university premises. Although the university had signed an agreement with CAN in 2059 on the condition of charging 900,000 rupees annually until 2083 Baisakh, its other effects have started to surface with the growing craze of NPL.

Vinil Aryal, former dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, wrote a complaint on social media on Tuesday. He mentioned that he could not reach his department by avoiding security checks and crowds, and wrote, 'I, a professor, could not reach my department. My ID (identity card) did not work, the police said it was a joke. I had to take leave today. Does the university run only with officials? Or should teachers also go? What is the arrangement?' Many people commented on his status expressing their support and saying that they had experienced the same thing. Dean of the Faculty of Management, Mahananda Chalise, wrote, ‘I also experienced the same thing. I am surprised. Is this an academic university or a cricket university?’

There was a discussion last year about the impact of holding big competitions within the university. There was a discussion about finding an alternative to the stadium in Kirtipur as the growing craze for cricket required a well-organized stadium. In line with this thinking, the then Vice-Chancellor Kesharjung Baral had proposed that an alternative to the stadium should be considered at that time and that the games should be organized in a way that would not hinder Tribhuvan University. But contrary to his proposal, the government invested more in Kirtipur and added floodlights and parapets. He resigned from his post after some political pressure, including upgrading the stadium without coordination with Tribhuvan University.

Dipendra Parajuli, Chief, TU Sports and Student Welfare Directorate TU Sports and Student Welfare Directorate Chief Dipendra Parajuli said that when signing the agreement, he did not imagine that such a big sports event would take place and that it would affect the university. He said, 'Nowadays, when there are big games, thousands of spectators gather. The impact of the crowd has reached the classrooms.' He said that the noise and crowding in the university premises have affected everything from academics and administration to plant damage, garbage and environmental pollution, and if the situation continues like this, we should also think about renewing the stadium rental agreement in 2083. He said, 'There have been many complaints from teachers, employees and students. In such a situation, the issue of renting out the stadium should be reconsidered. Not for 1/2 days. When games are held for months, the impact on the university is unlimited.' Last year, the Principal's Office of the Tribhuvan University Central Campus concluded that the ongoing competitions on the cricket field were affecting the university's teaching and learning. The then campus chief, Dhyandendra Bahadur Rai, had sent a proposal to the Vice-Chancellor's Office to find an alternative to the playground or Tribhuvan University. Former SBU Secretary of the Central Campus, Siddhant Bhatta, commented that the university's environment had deteriorated when commercial games were organized without an environmental impact assessment. He pointed out that the government had built a stadium in the university area by force and that it was time to find an alternative. A competition agreement was also signed between Tribhuvan University and the NPL organizer Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) to prevent a repeat of last year's chaos. The agreement states that there will be no parking from the main gate of Tribhuvan University to the Lions Eye Hospital (Tinkune Chowk) via the inner road so that professors, students and employees can move around easily. Similarly, the agreement also states that they will cooperate with each other to make the NPL successful. However, teachers and students are complaining that the problem has increased when the Kirtipur Bikas Samaj charges a fee and provides free parking in that area. University Registrar Kedar Rijal said that there was an agreement to conduct activities in a way that cricket and the university do not hinder each other. He said, 'No one has been given permission to park inside the university.' Now, when big games are played, thousands of spectators gather. The impact of the crowd has reached the classrooms. -

Ganesh Prasad Adhikari, Proctor of the Central Campus, said that there had been many complaints that it was difficult to enter the university. 'There are thousands of people.' Many businesses (water, snacks, lunch shops) have been operating scattered around the university,' he said. 'We have also discussed with the security agencies since the work was not done as per the agreement,' he said. He said that in the long term, the government should think about an alternative to the Tribhuvan University Stadium and immediately make arrangements to park outside the university area. ‘Parking is the main problem. Parking should be outside the university. This game should also be successful. It is our request that the university’s activities should not be affected,’ said the proctor. He also said that those living in the hostels near the stadium have drawn the attention of the campus administration to the issue of security.

CAN spokesperson Chhumbi Lama claims that arrangements have been made around the stadium since last year to prevent Tribhuvan University from being reached. ‘We are aware that the university should not be disturbed even during the game. CAN has also understood that damage should not be caused to a prestigious university,’ he said. This time, vehicle parking has been arranged outside the Tribhuvan University gate and arrangements have been made to reach the stadium through an alternative gate, CAN said. ‘We have designated a parking space from outside the Tribhuvan University gate to the road leading to Chobhar. The inside of Tribhuvan University is empty,’ said spokesperson Lama, ‘We have used a different gate to go to the stadium to prevent disturbance to Tribhuvan University. CAN officials and VIPs are also not allowed to enter the stadium using the Tribhuvan University gate. Their vehicles are also parked outside.’

Chumbi Lama, spokesperson, CAN Spokesperson Lama said that the stadium will not be affected by the stadium by making a detailed master plan. He said, ‘The history of Nepal’s cricket and the history of the Tribhuvan University Cricket Stadium are linked. The government has invested in its continuation. By next year, more investment will be made to build infrastructure so that cricket and the university do not affect each other.’ He said that after the construction of the Mulpani Cricket Stadium, the burden on TU will gradually decrease and now Mulpani does not have the same infrastructure as TU. He said, 'We need 3/4 stadiums. TU alone is not enough.' During the game, university officials also discussed with Kathmandu Police regarding peace and security at the university. SP Pawan Bhattarai of Kathmandu Police said that discussions were held on how to organize the movement of cricket spectators, including university teachers, employees, and students, and how to prevent the impact on the university. 'TU, CAN and the local level will sit and discuss the issue of parking. Parking has been arranged only outside the gate of TU. The police have cooperated in regulating it,' he said. By next year, more investment will be made to build infrastructure so that cricket and the university do not affect each other.-