Better late than never! The Under-19 cricket team’s members got a big boost today as each of them received a Bajaj CT100 motorbike for their Plate Championship winning performance in the U-19 Cricket World Cup in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Crown Prince Paras handed over the keys of the motorbikes, partly sponsored by Golchha Organization, to the 14 members of the U-19 national team and Rs. 25,000 each to coach Roy Dias, assistant coach Shankar Rana and assistant manager Diwakar Ghale. Crown Princess Himani was also present on the occassion.
“It is indeed a great encouragement for the players,” captain of the team Kanishka Chaugai commented after receiving the prize. “We play to win for the country without thinking about prizes, but prizes do encourage us to do better.”
“The success in the U-19 Cricket World Cup has indicated that Nepal has the prospect of playing the world cup in the future,” sports minister Radha Krishna Mainali said on the occasion adding that its now time for CAN to plan an international stadium with an aim of making it a neutral venue. “The government is ready to extend the support for that,” he added.
Member-secretary of NSC Kishor Bahadur Singh lauded the support of the corporate houses in the sports and hoped for more from them. He also thanked the players, coaches and association for bringing in success to the country. CAN president Jai Kumar Nath Shah and secretary Laxman Bastola also spoke on the occasion.
Last week, captain Kaniska Chaugai, wicket-keeper Mahesh Chhetri and allrounder Basant Regmi were awarded a Pulsar 150cc motorbike each by Rotary Club of Nagarjun. The club also awarded other team members Rs. 10,000 each.