Tansen’s Tundikhel ground, once a hub for sports in the district, is falling into disrepair due to the municipality’s lack of regular maintenance. Although the field underwent an extensive upgrade two years ago after nearly five years of construction and with an investment of Rs3.82 crore, athletes and locals now report potholes, dying grass, and unsafe conditions that disrupt daily practice sessions.
Pranayveer Jung Rana, president of the Palpa District Football Association, said the upgraded grounds initially brought excitement among sports enthusiasts. However, the absence of ongoing upkeep has led to deteriorating grass and uneven surfaces, creating risks of injury during practice. Similarly, player Avin Pulami highlighted that despite the field’s improvement, consistent maintenance has been neglected, forcing athletes to contend with challenging conditions.
Ritesh Mall, head coach at the Palpa Football Academy, pointed out that hosting all types of sports on the main football field accelerates wear and tear and suggested creating alternative practice areas to protect the primary ground. The municipality, while acknowledging the problem, has yet to finalize plans for separate practice spaces.
The Tundikhel upgrades consist of a football court, a seniors area, children's park, footpaths, and a mini-stage. While these upgrades have made Tundikhel more attractive as a facility, the beautification of the facility by planting flowers throughout the site has yet to be completed. Traditionally, Tundikhel has been the location for national-level football, district-level volleyball, Indo-Nepal cricket matches, and karate championships. At its peak, Tundikhel attracted players and athletes from throughout Nepal and India, creating a vibrant local sports culture.
According to Mayor Santoshlal Shrestha, the Municipality has invested in both the grass and the infrastructure, but daily use by athletes has caused major deterioration of the fields and facilities. He indicated that there may be plans for developing areas specifically for practice; however, there are no concrete plans at this time.