हक्की रङ्गशाला
Banepa (Kavre), October 2
An international-standard hockey stadium and training center is set to be constructed at Chisapani Hill, located on the border of Wards 11 and 12 of Dhulikhel Municipality in Kavrepalanchok. The formal path for this project’s construction opened following the assurance of a budget from the federal government and the completion of a tripartite agreement.
Dhulikhel, known for its natural beauty, historical significance, and status as an educational destination, is now poised to develop into a new sports hub as well. Surrounded by lush hills, a clean environment, and scenic topography, Dhulikhel’s tourist identity is expected to gain new momentum in sports activities through this stadium.
To boost the sport of hockey, which has long been constrained by a lack of infrastructure, a bilateral agreement was signed between Dhulikhel Municipality and the Kavrepalanchok District Sports Development Committee. This agreement is expected to build a strong foundation for systematic hockey training, organizing competitions, and nurturing players in Dhulikhel. The signing ceremony took place last Wednesday at the municipality office. Acting Mayor Nirann Jangam signed on behalf of Dhulikhel Municipality, while Chairman Manbir Waiba signed on behalf of the Kavrepalanchok District Sports Development Committee.
Mohan Prasad Lamichhane, Chairman of Ward No. 12, expressed confidence that the stadium built on Chisapani Hill will benefit the ward, the municipality, and the entire nation. Similarly, Swastik Baidya, President of the Kavrepalanchok District Hockey Association, stated that this project is a matter of pride for both the district committee and the whole country, pledging active support to complete the project.
Under the agreement, Dhulikhel Municipality will provide the necessary land for sports infrastructure within its legal usage rights. Previously, the municipal executive decided to approve a agreement granting permission to the Nepal Hockey Association for 200 ropanis of land for 40 years to move the project forward. Specifically, the plan focuses on building a modern stadium and training center on suitable land along the border of Wards 11 and 12.
Acting Mayor Nirann Jangam shared that the plan to construct the hockey stadium aligns with the municipality’s goal to develop Dhulikhel into a sports-friendly municipal area. He noted that sports infrastructure will not only motivate local youth to participate in sports but also significantly contribute to Dhulikhel’s social, economic, and tourism development.
The District Sports Development Committee will take the necessary initiative for budget management and infrastructure development. According to Committee Chairman Manbir Waiba, required funds will be coordinated through the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the National Sports Council, and relevant sports bodies in Bagmati Province. “This project is linked not only to Dhulikhel but to the development of Kavrepalanchok and Nepali hockey as a whole,” said Chairman Waiba, adding that the committee will actively support everything from budget management to infrastructure construction.
A budget of NPR 30 million (Rs 3 crore) has been allocated by the federal government to be executed through the National Sports Council in the fiscal year 2083/84 (2026/27). Education Branch Officer Bhoj Kumar Thakuri mentioned that today’s agreement was reached to ensure smooth execution through the District Sports Development Committee and to facilitate monitoring by district-level offices and the association.
The agreement also includes provisions regarding stadium operation and usage. When organizing national or international sports events, the District Sports Development Committee will coordinate with Dhulikhel Municipality. During non-event periods, the municipality will be allowed to use the ground for practice sessions. Swastik Baidya added that a previous bilateral agreement signed between the Nepal Hockey Association and Dhulikhel Municipality on May 12, 2025 (Baisakh 29, 2082) has been made an integral part of this new agreement, preserving past efforts and institutionalizing the project further.
The District Sports Development Committee has expressed full solidarity with Dhulikhel Municipality’s campaign to create a “sports-friendly municipality.” The plan under this campaign involves expanding sports activities from schools and wards up to the district level. The agreement specifies that technical and expert support will be provided by the District Sports Development Committee.
Alongside physical infrastructure, skilled coaches, technical manpower, and regular competitions are vital for sports development. Keeping this in mind, cooperation will take place at the school and ward levels to identify talent, provide training, and run competitions. This is expected to help spot local talent and guide them toward district, provincial, national, and international competitions.
With the addition of sports infrastructure to Dhulikhel, an established tourist and educational destination, its identity is likely to expand even further. Organizing sports events, training camps, and national-level programs is expected to yield positive impacts on local hotels, transportation, commerce, and tourism businesses. By connecting local youth energy, player aspirations, and institutional collaboration into a single plan, this project aims to firmly establish Dhulikhel on Nepal’s sports map.
