June 9, 2025

Indian Ambassador’s Cricket Tournament 2025 Concludes with Spirit of Sportsmanship and Bilateral Friendship

Kathmandu – The Embassy of India in Kathmandu successfully concluded the first edition of the Indian Ambassador’s Cricket Tournament 2025, held from May 31 to June 8 at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground. The week-long tournament brought together six teams representing diverse sectors: the Indian Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of Nepal, British Embassy, Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), corporate sector representatives, and the Indian diaspora community in Nepal (ICAN).

The tournament began with an opening ceremony on May 31, attended by key dignitaries including the Ambassador of India to Nepal, the British Ambassador to Nepal, and the Joint Secretary of MoFA’s South Asia Division. The presence of high-level officials and enthusiastic players set a positive tone for the competition that followed.

After several exciting and closely contested matches, the final was played on June 8 between the Indian Embassy and ICAN teams. In a spirited and skillful showdown, both sides demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship. The tournament ended on a high note with a trophy distribution ceremony, where the Ambassador of India to Nepal, Shri Naveen Srivastava, awarded trophies and medals to the winners and outstanding performers. Also present at the ceremony were the President of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), Mr. Chatur Bahadur Chand, and Joint Secretary of MoFA, Nepal, Mr. Gahendra Rajbhandari.

In the evening, a reception was hosted to celebrate the tournament’s success and reinforce camaraderie among the participants. Hon’ble Minister of Youth and Sports, Government of Nepal, Mr. Teju Lal Chaudhary, graced the occasion alongside the Indian Ambassador, the CAN President, and prominent members of Nepal’s Women’s National Cricket Team. Representatives from all six participating teams were also in attendance, highlighting the inclusivity and friendship that defined the tournament.

Marking a step forward in India-Nepal cooperation in the sports sector, the Ambassador of India handed over cricket kits to three promising under-19 Nepali cricketers during the reception. He also announced the launch of a new initiative — the Ambassador’s Cricket Fellowship for Nepali Youth. Under this fellowship, two emerging cricketers from Nepal will be selected to receive short-term coaching at established cricket academies in India, helping them enhance their skills and exposure.

This tournament and the associated fellowship program reflect India’s commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties and promoting youth development through shared passion for cricket. By encouraging friendly competition and nurturing emerging talent, the Embassy aims to contribute to the growth of cricket in Nepal and further deepen the longstanding friendship between the two countries.