Editing Nepal (section)

=== Sports and recreation ===
{{Main|Sports in Nepal}}[[Traditional games of Nepal|Nepali indigenous sports]], like [[dandi biyo]] and [[kabaddi]] which were considered the unofficial national sports until recently,<ref name= voll>{{cite news |url=https://english.onlinekhabar.com/its-official-volleyball-is-the-national-sport-of-nepal.html|title=It's official: Volleyball is the national sport of Nepal|newspaper=[[Online Khabar]]|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722085509/https://english.onlinekhabar.com/its-official-volleyball-is-the-national-sport-of-nepal.html|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> are still popular in rural areas.<ref name="Himalayan Times More than child's play">{{cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/lifestyle/people/more-than-just-childs-play/|title=More than just child's play|date=25 February 2018|newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]]|language=en-US|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721224138/https://thehimalayantimes.com/lifestyle/people/more-than-just-childs-play/|archive-date=21 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite efforts, standardisation and development of dandi biyo has not been achieved,<ref name="Online Khabar national sport">{{cite news |url=https://english.onlinekhabar.com/nepals-national-sport-five-things-didnt-know-dandi-biyo.html|title=Nepal's' 'national sport' we never had: Five things you didn't know about dandi-biyo |newspaper=[[Online Khabar]]|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721224142/https://english.onlinekhabar.com/nepals-national-sport-five-things-didnt-know-dandi-biyo.html|archive-date=21 July 2019|url-status=live|access-date=21 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/57793/|title=Dandi Biyo Championship in Dhading|last=Republica|newspaper=[[Republica (newspaper)|Republica]]|language=en|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721224139/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/57793/|archive-date=21 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> while Kabaddi, as a professional sport, is still in its infancy in Nepal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/kabaddi/nepali-kabaddi-team-announces-12-member-men-s-squad-for-asian-games-2018|title=Nepal announces 12-member men's kabaddi squad for Asian Games 2018|date=6 August 2018|website=[[Sportskeeda]]|language=en|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721224141/https://www.sportskeeda.com/kabaddi/nepali-kabaddi-team-announces-12-member-men-s-squad-for-asian-games-2018|archive-date=21 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bagh-chal]], an ancient [[board game]] that is thought to have originated in Nepal, can be played on chalk-drawn boards, with pebbles, and is still popular today.<ref>{{cite book |title=Games of No Chance |last1=Jin |first1=L.Y. |last2=Nievergelt |first2=J. |chapter=Tigers and Goats is a draw |editor2-first=Richard J |editor2-last=Nowakowski |editor1-first=Michael H |editor1-last=Albert |chapter-url=https://www.msri.org/people/staff/levy/files/Book56/22jin.pdf |publisher=[[MSRI Publications]] |volume=56 |year=2009 |pages=163–176 |doi=10.1017/CBO9780511807251.008 |isbn=9780511807251 |access-date=22 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721201337/https://www.msri.org/people/staff/levy/files/Book56/22jin.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://ejournals.ukm.my/apjitm/article/view/26093|title=Analyzing Thousand Years Old Game Tigers and Goats is Still Alive|first1=Hiroyuki|last1=Iida|first2=Sakshi|last2=Agarwal|date=1 October 2018|journal=[[Asia-Pacific Journal of Information Technology and Multimedia]]|volume=7|issue=2|via=[[UKM e-Journal System]]|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721201347/https://ejournals.ukm.my/apjitm/article/view/26093|archive-date=21 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ludo (board game)|Ludo]], [[snakes and ladders]] and [[carrom]] are popular pastimes.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2741570&language=en|title=KUNA : Carrom... Traditional game widely loved in Gulf region – Society – 16/08/2018|agency=[[Kuwait News Agency]]|access-date=21 July 2019}}</ref> [[Chess]] is also played.<ref name="Himalayan Times More than child's play"/> [[Volleyball]] was declared as the national sport of Nepal in 2017.<ref name=voll/> Popular children's games include versions of [[Tag (game)|tag]],<ref name="Himalayan Times More than child's play"/> [[knucklebones]],<ref name="Himalayan Times More than child's play"/> [[hopscotch]], [[Duck, duck, goose#Rumaal Chor|Duck, duck, goose]]<ref name="Himalayan Times More than child's play"/> and [[seven stones|lagori]], while [[marbles]],<ref name="Himalayan Times More than child's play"/> [[Spinning top|top]], [[hoop rolling]] and [[gully cricket]] are also popular among boys. [[Rubber band]]s, or [[ranger band]]s cut from tubes in [[Bicycle|bike]] tyres, make a multi-purpose sporting equipment for Nepali children, which may be bunched or chained together, and used to play [[dodgeball]], [[cat's cradle]], [[jianzi]]<ref name="Himalayan Times More than child's play"/> and a variety of [[skipping rope]] games.<ref name="Himalayan Times More than child's play"/>
[[File:Nepali_Fans.JPG|thumb|Nepali cricket fans are renowned for their exceptionally enthusiastic support of their national team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24222487/fans-frolic-frenzy-await-nepal-lord-visit|title=Fans, frolic, frenzy await Nepal's Lord's visit|date=29 July 2018|publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721184833/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24222487/fans-frolic-frenzy-await-nepal-lord-visit|archive-date=21 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/nepal/content/story/728911.html|title=Cricket-mad Nepal faces infrastructure challenges|date=18 March 2014|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721184823/https://www.espncricinfo.com/nepal/content/story/728911.html|archive-date=21 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
[[Association football|Football]] and [[cricket]] are popular professional sports.<ref>{{cite web |title=Football at the heart of the Himalayas |url=https://www.fifa.com/theclub/news/newsid=93201/ |publisher=[[FIFA]] |date=5 March 2009 |access-date=17 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903141351/https://www.fifa.com/theclub/news/newsid=93201/ |archive-date=3 September 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Nepal is competitive in football in the South Asia region but has never won the [[SAFF|SAFF championships]], but has had some success in [[South Asian Games]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2018/09/12/nepal-eye-historic-final|title=Saff Championship: Nepal eye historic final|newspaper=[[The Kathmandu Post]]|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722102020/https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2018/09/12/nepal-eye-historic-final|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/nepal-crash-out-of-saff-cship-after-3-0-defeat-to-maldives/|title=Nepal crash out of SAFF C'ship after 3–0 defeat to Maldives|date=12 September 2018|newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]]|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722102013/https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/nepal-crash-out-of-saff-cship-after-3-0-defeat-to-maldives/|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It usually ranks in the bottom quarter in the [[FIFA World Rankings]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men|title=The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking – Ranking Table |publisher=[[FIFA]]|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907060006/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/|archive-date=7 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Nepal has had some success in cricket and holds [[List of countries with ODI status|ODI status]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/cricket/92328/nepal-cricket-odi-status?amp|title=Nepal make cricket history after securing ODI status|newspaper=[[The Week|The Week (UK)]]|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627202049/https://www.theweek.co.uk/cricket/92328/nepal-cricket-odi-status?amp|archive-date=27 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22777050/biggest-day-nepal-cricket-history-khadka |title='Biggest day in Nepal cricket history' – Khadka |date=15 March 2018 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=16 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316024753/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22777050/biggest-day-nepal-cricket-history-khadka |archive-date=16 March 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> consistently ranking in the Top 20 in the [[International Cricket Council|ICC]] [[ICC ODI Championship|ODI]] and [[ICC T20I Championship|T20I rankings]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/rankings/mens/team-rankings/odi|title=ICC Ranking for ODI teams International Cricket Council|publisher=[[International Cricket Council|ICC]]|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324175838/https://www.icc-cricket.com/rankings/mens/team-rankings/odi|archive-date=24 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/rankings/mens/team-rankings/t20i|title=ICC Ranking for T20 teams International Cricket Council|publisher=[[International Cricket Council|ICC]]|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324175834/https://www.icc-cricket.com/rankings/mens/team-rankings/t20i|archive-date=24 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Nepal has had some success in [[Athletics (sport)|athletics]] and [[martial arts]], having won many medals at the [[South Asian Games]] and some at the [[Asian Games]].<ref name=trn>{{Cite news |url=https://therisingnepal.org.np/news/33198|title=Current priorities of sports: Hosting SAG, winning medals|newspaper=[[The Rising Nepal]]|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722085510/https://therisingnepal.org.np/news/33198|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Nepal has never won an [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] medal.<ref name=gauri/> Sports like [[basketball]], volleyball, [[futsal]], [[wrestling]], competitive bodybuilding<ref name=gauri/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/malik-overall-winner-afghanistan-bag-team-cship/|title=Malik overall winner, Afghanistan bag team c'ship|date=21 July 2019|newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]]|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722085506/https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/malik-overall-winner-afghanistan-bag-team-cship/|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[badminton]] are also gaining in popularity.<ref name="Himalayan Times More than child's play"/> Women in football, cricket, athletics, martial arts, badminton and swimming have found some success.<ref name=award>{{Cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/cricket-football-dominate-nominations/|title=Cricket, football dominate nominations|date=26 June 2019|newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]]|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722102011/https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/cricket-football-dominate-nominations/|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=gauri>{{Cite news |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/67830/|title=Will she quench Nepal's thirst for Olympic medals?|first=Rajan|last=Shah|newspaper=[[Republica (newspaper)|Republica]]|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722091043/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/67830/|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Nepal also fields players and national teams in several tournaments for [[Disability|disabled]] individuals, most notably in men's<ref name=menb>{{Cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/blind-cricketers-horrible-journey-to-world-cup/|title=Blind cricketers' horrible journey to WC|date=22 January 2018|newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]]|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721201344/https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/blind-cricketers-horrible-journey-to-world-cup/|archive-date=21 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as women's blind cricket.<ref name=wmenb>{{Cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/nepal-defeat-pakistan-seal-womens-blind-cricket-series/|title=Nepal defeat Pakistan, seal women's blind cricket series|date=4 February 2019|newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]]|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721201351/https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/nepal-defeat-pakistan-seal-womens-blind-cricket-series/|archive-date=21 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

The only international stadium in the country is the multi-purpose [[Dasharath Rangasala|Dasarath Stadium]] where the [[Nepal national football team|men]] and [[Nepal women's national football team|women national football teams]] play their home matches.<ref name=dash>{{Cite news |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/27598/|title=Renovation of Dasharath Stadium takes forever, hurts nation's football|first=Prabin Bikram|last=Katwal|newspaper=[[Republica (newspaper)|Republica]]|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722085516/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/27598/|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the formation of the [[Nepal national cricket team|national team]], Nepal has played its home matches of cricket at [[Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground]].<ref name="cricktarchv">{{cite web |title=Grounds in Nepal |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/93/grounds_for_country_93.html |publisher=[[Cricket Archive]] |access-date=18 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116202325/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/93/grounds_for_country_93.html |archive-date=16 January 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Nepal police, Armed police force and Nepal army are the most prolific producers of national players, and aspiring players are known to join armed forces, for the better sporting opportunities they can provide.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/khawas-passes-second-lieutenant-test/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202013552/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/khawas-passes-second-lieutenant-test/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2024|title=Khawas passes second lieutenant test|first=Bipulendra|last=Adhikari|newspaper=[[Republica (newspaper)|Republica]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/nepal-apf-club-athletes-gopi-chandra-parki-kanchhi-maya-koju-win-5000m-races-seventh-national-games/|title=APF athletes Parki, Koju win 5,000m races|date=26 December 2016|newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]]|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722094941/https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/nepal-apf-club-athletes-gopi-chandra-parki-kanchhi-maya-koju-win-5000m-races-seventh-national-games/|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Nepali sports is hindered by a lack of infrastructure,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2019/04/25/national-games-conclude-with-concerns-over-maintenance-and-upgradation-of-infrastructure|title=National Games conclude with concerns over maintenance and upgradation of infrastructure|newspaper=[[The Kathmandu Post]]|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722102021/https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2019/04/25/national-games-conclude-with-concerns-over-maintenance-and-upgradation-of-infrastructure|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> funding,<ref name=menb/> corruption, nepotism and political interference.<ref name=trn/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1003757.html|title=ICC suspends Cricket Association of Nepal|date=26 April 2016|publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718083716/https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1003757.html|archive-date=18 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/69986/|title=ICC's suspension of CAN continues|newspaper=[[Republica (newspaper)|Republica]]|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722100456/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/69986/|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Very few players are able to make a living as professional sportspeople.<ref name=dash/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://kathmandupost.com/30/2020/02/22/athletes-spend-the-best-years-of-their-lives-playing-sports-but-are-often-left-with-little-to-retire-on|title=Athletes spend the best years of their lives playing sports, but are often left with little to retire on|newspaper=[[The Kathmandu Post]]|language=en|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref>