Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) bagged a biggest international apparel sponsorship from Singa Steel in Kathmandu on Sunday. CAN President Tanka Angbuhang and Saad Khan Janjua, Managing director of the Singapore based company, signed a memorandum of understanding for the period of three years.
The deal will be in effect from January 2014, after the completion of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualification in New Zealand.
As per the understanding, Singa Steel, which is also the second biggest sports merchandise producing company, will sponsor all the cricket equipments and apparels, contributing Rs 10,000,000 each year until the tenure of sponsorship.
Speaking at the press meet, Janjua, who is also the skipper of Singapore national team, said that the sponsorship venture was the outcome of impressive stride Nepal has taken in the international cricket in short time.
“The achievement Nepal has summoned in the international cricket, qualifying for the Twenty20 World Cup, is praiseworthy. The passion of the game runs deep in the bloodstream of players and spectators equally. Our assistance is like pat on the back to cover bigger grounds. We strongly believe that Nepal will leave their mark in the World Cup.
Sharing a light moment, Janjua further added that he had always stood opposite Nepal in the competitive matches, but this time he was standing shoulder to shoulder.
Apart from the apparels and equipments, Singa Steel will also be providing players with the match fees, for each matches played under the events organized by International Cricket Council. Not only this, players will also be rewarded with the incentives based on their performance.
Acknowledging the importance of sponsorship, national skipper Paras Khadka expressed his gratitude by underscoring the effect it could have upon the development of the game.
“We are privileged and thankful for our sponsors for such valuable support. To have such support at such a critical time is inspiring. This is just the beginning,” he said.
The sponsorship deal was initiated by Amir Akthar and Binod Das, former national cricketer and skipper respectively during the Journey to the World Cup event, held last week in Kathmandu.
Singa Steel also sponsor acclaimed cricketers like Kamran Akmal, Younus Khan, Khaleed Latif, Shajad Houssain of Pakistan, Sri Lankan Chaminda Vaas and Ravi Rampal of West Indies.