National players announced that they would boycott the national leagues beginning Saturday protesting the indifference of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) towards development of cricket.
Dipendra Chaudhary, vice-captain Gyanendra Malla, captain Paras Khadka, Mehboob Alam and Shakti Gauchan during the press conference. Photo Courtesy Republica
“We will continue training at the closed-camp because the World Cricket League Division IV is a very important tournament for the nation’s cricket,” captain Paras Khadka said in a press conference. “But we will not play the national leagues.”
Eighteen players held a media conference to announce their decision. Former captain Binod Das and Sharad Vesawkar did not attend the conference ‘for they were busy in their personal works.’
They players criticized CAN for their lack of interest in development of cricket, welfare of the players; and the rift in the executive committee.
“Whenever we talk about development and welfare, we are told the board will talk, but we could never meet the majority of members at a time,” Khadka added.
He also demanded that CAN should have fulltime executive staffs. “At this phase, CAN should have full time executive staffs,” he said.
“When small events are getting enough sponsors, CAN has failed to sign more than a few sponsors for national events,” Khadka vented out. “This is because they work only after 5 p.m. when every other offices are closed.”
Khadka told Cricket Nepal that the players will in no condition play the T20 national league but can consider playing the one-dayers if CAN comes up with a ‘proposal with vision for long-term benefit of cricket’ before the event.
The one-day national league is beginning on June 8.
Khadka also criticized CAN for their lack of communication. “We know through media that Delhi’s club is arriving for practice matches,” he said. “We were told only a day before the match.”
Vice-captain Gyanendra Malla added that as the players who cannot perform well do not deserve in the national team, CAN members should also leave if they cannot perform.