National cricket team skipper Paras Khadka has said indifference of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has affected the players’ performance. Khadka made such comment during a seminar organized by Shepherd College in the capital on Sunday.
“Apart from playing cricket, players should also take the responsibility to make the cricket management accountable,” said Khadka, “CAN is not dynamic. Until and unless CAN hires paid staff it cannot run smoothly.”
Khadka opined that CAN is running in an unprofessional manner. “A handful of people are taking advantage as volunteers in the name of social service. Players do not even get prizes easily after winning big tournaments,” said Khadka who opined that CAN officials should look for sponsors to promote cricket.
CAN member Kiran Rana said that despite a jumbo executive committee of 32 members, there were only a few capable officials in CAN. He also informed that they were involved in negotiations with corporate houses to sponsor the National Cricket Academy. “We are planning to form corporate teams and revive Nepal Police Club as well. We are also holding talks with Nepal Army for the formation of a cricket team,” said Rana.
National cricket team coach Pubudu Dassanayake said Nepal needs to learn from associate nations. “Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh got the Test nation status after winning ICC tournaments,” said the former Sri Lankan international, adding, “Sri Lankan cricket was also a victim of politics and got warnings from ICC several times. But it was able to produce talented players by giving continuity to school level cricket.”
“Kenya had reached the semifinals of 2003 World Cup and the national team is also good. But, the domestic structure is weak and so is the school cricket. Currently, Nepali cricket is in a similar condition,” Dassanayake said, “Nepal could also get One-day status within the next 12 months. But all other sides should be equally efficient.”
Meanwhile, Umpire Association´s General Secretary Binay Jha said CAN was preparing to hold a two-day match between the semifinalists of the one-day national cricket tournament and three-day match between the finalists.