A delegation of cricket players met Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal at his office in Singha Durbar requesting the government to support in development of cricket.
Captain Binod Das handed over a memorandum to PM Nepal that demanded jobs for players, making of cricket teams in Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Army, facilities to cricketers equivalent to other national players and initiative to develop physical infrastructure.
The delegation also requested the PM to provide citizenship certificate to Sharad Vesawkar who has been representing Nepali national team for last six years. Vesawkar, born of Indian father and Nepali mother, is deprived of it despite there is provision of citizenship from mother’s name.
“Sarad has been playing cricket for Nepal; though his father is an Indian, his mother is of Nepali origin. He also owns a house in Nepal,” Binod who led the delegation said. “The prime minister said that he would inquire about the matter.”
“Cricketers are planning to leave the country for employment abroad. We urged the Prime Minister to take necessary steps to stop them,” Binod added.
Despite Nepal´s overwhelming performance in the age group, the senior national team has been unable to repeat the performance. Players believe that’s because at senior level they need to focus on jobs and career.
“We also requested him to create an environment wherein cricketers can earn their living by playing cricket,” Binod said. “For that, we suggested that departmental teams be formed.”
Players said that the prime minister was positive about their demands. “The Prime Minister promised to talk about matter in the concerned places,” said the players.
The nine member cricket team that met the prime minister comprised Binod Das, vice captain Paras Khadka, Raju Basnyat, Amrit Bhattarai, Manjit Shrestha, Sarad Veswakar, Basanta Regmi, Gyanendra Malla and Sanjam Regmi.