“Behind every dream, there is a mother’s prayer.

Behind every victory, a mother’s sleepless night.

Behind every champion, a woman who gave everything—

And asked for nothing in return.

Our players may face opponents on the field,

But their mothers faced life for them…

…..

Today, we pause to honour that courage”

With these stirring lines, Niroj Khatiwada, general manager of Janakpur Bolts, set the tone for an emotional Wednesday afternoon that saw the franchise look beyond the boundary ropes. In a press conference held jointly with their upcoming opponents, the Pokhara Avengers, the Bolts unveiled a special initiative dedicated to mothers.

While the Avengers reiterated their long-standing ‘Glaciers Matter’ climate advocacy, the spotlight of the day belonged to Janakpur’s tribute to mothers.

The franchise revealed a special edition jersey to be worn during Thursday’s clash against Pokhara. In a move to translate sentiment into action, the Bolts announced that these match-worn kits will be placed up for auction, with all proceeds directed toward the mothers who lost their children during the Gen Z uprising on September 8 and 9.

“We hope that the funds we provide to them will be of some help for their empowerment,” said Khatiwada.

Pokhara Avengers said that they were happy with the Bolts’ initiation.

“We are glad to see other franchises sharing responsibilities to the society. The way Janakpur showed strength at the time of despair is of great motivation,” said Subodh Tripathee, chairman of Pokhara Avengers. Two of the Bolts’ players—Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi and Bikash Aagri—had been bereaved of their mothers recently.

Meanwhile, the Avengers also stressed that they had been campaigning against global warming’s effect on mountains and glaciers ever since the franchise began their activities for the inaugural NPL.

“Hindu Kush Himalayan glaciers disappeared 65 percent faster in 2011–2020 compared with the previous decade. And if nothing impactful is done, the rate is expected to reach up to 85 percent by the end of this century,” Tripathee said. “We represent Pokhara, a city which lives on tourism, which is based on the mountains. So it is our duty to work for its preservation.”

Pokhara will be wearing green jersey in the match against Janakpur to raise awareness on the issue.

Similarly, speaking at the event, Nima Rinji Sherpa, Guinness World Records holder as the youngest person to climb all 14 of the world's 8,000-metre peaks, stressed that the melting of glaciers at an alarming rate should be a concern for all. “And for the issue being advocated through cricket, it is a great move by Pokhara Avengers,” Sherpa said at the event.

Arguing that over 5,000 mountains of the Hindu Kush region provide water to billions of people, Sherpa said, “We can protect the glaciers if we work toward it collectively.”

Janakpur and Pokhara are playing each other in the second match of Thursday, after Lumbini Lions vs Sudurpaschim Royals in the morning.