CHITWAN: Chitwan Rhinos, a cricket club named after the district’s iconic one-horned rhinoceros, has pledged to support rhino conservation by allocating five percent of the proceeds from sales of its T-shirts and other merchandise to conservation efforts.
The club, which represents Chitwan in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), is participating in the tournament for the third consecutive year.
Ayush Neupane, president of Chitwan Rhinos Sports Club, said the club was committed to protecting the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. “Since our name is associated with the rhino, we are also going to contribute to its conservation,” he said.
Through its name and logo featuring the one-horned rhinoceros, the club has been promoting Chitwan and its wildlife to a wider audience. Chitwan National Park, renowned for its rich biodiversity and wildlife, has helped establish the district as a major ecotourism destination. The cricket club aims to further promote the region’s identity and conservation message through sports.
Chitwan Rhinos finished fourth in the inaugural edition of the NPL but slipped to seventh place in the second season. Club director Pratap Devkota said the team had prepared intensively for the third edition with the aim of winning the title.
To encourage local support, live screenings of NPL matches have been arranged at several locations across the district, including Birendra Campus Chaur, Bishal Chowk and Chitwan Spicy Herb at Dipendra Chowk.
Devkota said the club prioritised wildlife conservation and supported various local clubs and community initiatives. It has also extended assistance to victims of the Bhotekoshi floods and sponsored musical programmes in the district.
“We are promoting cricket while contributing to rhino conservation,” he said.
Narayan Prasad Adhikari, chief of the District Coordination Committee in Chitwan, described the club’s presence in the NPL as a matter of pride for the district.
“Having a club representing Chitwan in a national tournament is a source of pride for the district,” he said, adding that sports could help promote discipline and encourage greater public participation in sporting activities.
Excitement surrounding the team has been growing across Chitwan ahead of the tournament. Hotels, restaurants and public spaces have become gathering points for cricket enthusiasts, while flags bearing the Chitwan Rhinos logo have been displayed along roadsides and at various public and commercial establishments.
The third edition of the NPL begins on October 26, with eight franchise teams competing for the title.