Dhurmus-Suntali confident people, govt will aid them complete Gautam Buddha Int’l Cricket Stadium in time

KATHMANDU, Jan 31: Actors Sitaram Kattel (Dhurmus) and Kunjana Ghimire (Suntali) on Thursday expressed their confidence that the people staying in and outside the country, the government and the political leaders will support them build the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium in time. Kattel and Ghimire are planning to complete the project in two and half year time.

“I believe that, like previous project such as Mushara settlement, every Nepalis will support and fund the construction of the stadium as it is a national pride project,” said Kattel during an interview with Rishi Dhamala at a television program ‘Janata Janna Chahanchan’

Kattel and Ghimire led Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation on Wednesday made public their plan to construct the multi-purpose stadium that will be built in Bharatpur Metropolitan City. The foundation and the Metropolitan signed an agreement for the construction of cricket stadium that will be built at the cost of around Rs 3 billion across 13.75 hectares of land.

“We have envisioned a project that can change the face of the country culturally and economically. Bharatpur can be a tourism hub. Moreover, the stadium will be an example to the world which will be built with direct participation and support of Nepali people,” he added.

“I hope financial support from the government as well.”

“We have 30 million Nepali people in our support. I am confident the fund will be collected so that we could complete the project in stipulated time,” said Ghimire.

“About 40 million rupees have been collected today. Nepali people have already started fund raising for the construction of the stadium. They have said that the money will be sent as soon as the legal process for the land will be completed,” she added.

“We have already started DPR for the stadium. The DPR will be completed within six months. Then we will lay foundation stone of the stadium. We will work 24/7 and we are determined to complete the project in time,” said Kattel.

Kattel shared that they are organizing Dhurmus-Suntali Sajh in Malaysia from February 5 to 10 aiming to raise fund for the construction of the stadium.

“We are also planning to tour Europe and Australia to raise enough funds,” he added.

The stadium will have a capacity of 25,000 spectators and will be designed in a lotus shape. The stadium will have a cricket academy and a ground for football, a swimming pool, and basketball, volleyball, tennis, and dandi-biyo courts.

Kattel clarified that the venue for the stadium was not chosen under any kind of political pressure. “It is our decision. The government and the political leaders have assured us full support for this project.” Bharatpur is the home two of Nepal Communist Party Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. Bharatpur Metropolitan Mayor Renu Dahal had played a crucial role in providing the land for the construction of the stadium.

“The stadium will remain untouched from any kind of political influence,” he said.

“It does not belong to any political party. It is a common project of all Nepalis,” clarified Ghimire.