Asian Cricket Council (ACC) delegates visiting Nepal held an interaction program with Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on the ongoing issues of the cricket development in the country on Thursday.
The Development Officer Rumesh Ratnayake along with Medical and Fitness Officer Dr. Vaes Paes talked about the past, present and the vision and program for the future of cricket development in the country in the meeting attended by CAN officials, sponsors and media.
“Realistically, ACC is looking for the chance of Nepal in 2011 or 2015 World Cup,” Ratnayake, who has been overseeing Nepal since 2001, said during the program. For the development of cricket, he stressed on the need of the extensive domestic structure and internal funding.
“Domestic tournaments are very important. ACC funding is not enough, actual funds should come from corporate houses and government,†he added. “You are fortunate to have sponsors with you,” he added.
Dr Paes added that Nepal need to work on the long-term plan to fulfill the dream of being the One-Day International (ODI) nation. “It takes 10 to 15 years to achieve the goal,” he said.
He also talked about Nepal’s route to the World Cup 2011 qualification through 2008. “It’s a long road,” he said. “But Nepali players have done well, so why not look at the summit.”
The ACC has funded US$ 100,000 for the construction of the national academy in Mulpani. “Nepal is the only country to receive that type of funding,” Dr Paes added.
During the program, ACC and CAN unveiled the 2007 calendar which included participation in ACC Women’s Tournament, ACC U-19 Elite Championship, ACC 20/20 Elite Tournament and ACC U-15 Elite Tournament.
At the program, CAN president Binay Raj Pandey talked about the current situation of Nepali cricket. Pandey was satisfied with the way his committee has been working since assuming the office six months ago. “We had made some announcement when we assumed the office, and today I think we are going on the right track,†he said.
National cricket team coach Roy Luke Dias, National Sports Council member secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha, vice president Sitaram Maskey and member Ganga Bahadur Thapa Magar were also present on the occasion.