After representing Nepali cricket for 11 years at the international level, cricketer Sharad Vesawkar received a naturalized citizenship of the country only on Sunday under the provision of Nepal Citizenship Act 2063.
Home Ministry handed over the citizenship certificate to Vesawkar on Sunday as a recognition for his special contribution to Nepali sport. Vesawkar had taken an oath promising that he would always be loyal to the nation. Vesawkar, a son of Nepali mother and Indian father, had been seeking citizenship certificate for the last 15 years. Vesawkar and his mother Himali Khadka live in Siphal, Kathmandu.
“After receiving it, I feel that Nepali cricket fraternity has achieved something. I was used to the situation but people were concerned about me. I would like to thank Cricket Association of Nepal, my team as well as friends and family for their support,” said Vesawkar.
Vesawkar had been representing Nepal at the international level and traveling for tournaments with a passport he had received in 2002 as a minor. The validity of the passport was to end next month.
After receiving the citizenship certificate Vesawkar applied for a new passport on Sunday.
Vesawkar had represented Nepal in the U-15 Asia Cup, 2002 and he is a regular member of Nepali national team since 2004. Nepal had won the World Cricket League Division 3 title last year in Bermuda with Vesawkar scoring 50 runs in the final against Uganda.