KATHMANDU, Dec 15: World-record-holding 18-year-old mountaineer Nima Rinji Sherpa has been appointed as the Brand Ambassador for the International Inter-University “Jay Nepal Cup” T20 Cricket Tournament, organized by the Nepal Students’ Union (NSU) Central Committee.
An agreement to this effect was signed between NSU President Dujang Sherpa and Nima Rinji Sherpa during a special ceremony held in the capital on Saturday. Notably, Sherpa has agreed to participate without charging any fees, as the tournament’s motto and objectives aim to benefit humanity.
Hard work instead of education
Scheduled for January, the tournament’s theme is: “One Earth, One Voice: Act on Climate Change Now.” The event aims to raise awareness about the urgent need for environmental conservation, emphasizing Nepal’s role as home to eight of the world’s highest peaks and the active involvement of its youth in this global cause.
The event will run for nine days, starting January 20. The tournament, to be held at Kirtipur Cricket Stadium, will feature two university teams each from India and Bangladesh, and one team each from Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. “Two more foreign teams are likely to arrive in Nepal to participate in the tournament,” said NSU leader Ganesh Thapa, who is coordinating the event.
Thapa also mentioned plans to organize sideline events, such as workshops and seminars, focused on mountains and climate change. “We want to take Nepal’s voice to the global stage through sports,” he added.
NSU Spokesperson Suraj Sejuwal said the winning team members, along with climate activists and Brand Ambassador Sherpa, will be taken to Everest Base Camp to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change in the Himalayas. Other teams will be taken to Pokhara and Lumbini, in addition to historic sites within the Kathmandu Valley.
NSU President Sherpa thanked the world-record-holding climber for agreeing to be part of the “Jay Nepal Cup” T20 Cricket Tournament. “We hope to promote cricket in Nepal while also sending a strong message for climate action,” he said.
