Indian envoy Prasad meets U-19 cricketers

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Indian Ambassador to Nepal Jayant Prasad today met the ICC U-19 World Cup preparing national team in their training camp at the Tribhuvan University Stadium in Kirtipur.

The envoy spent more than half an hour interacting with players and coach Pubudu Dassanayake. Prasad wished the Nepali team all the best for the upcoming ICC U-19 World Cup which will be held in Queensland, Australia on August 11-26. Nepal will play against hosts Australia, England and Ireland in Group ‘A’.

“I know that the Nepali teams have done pretty well in the previous U-19 World Cups and I hope you maintain that performance in Australia as well. I wish you boys all the best for the tour and give your best shot there,” Prasad told the boys at the pitch. Prasad added he would talk to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to bring link-up programme for the development of cricket in Nepal.

“I know that BCCI is run under a busy schedule but if we can talk to them regarding some link-up programmes, it would be better for Nepali cricket. We will probably have a talk with them to help Nepali cricket in near future,” said Prasad. Prasad also visited the store house which now has been transformed into a gymnasium.

Team skipper Prithu Baskota said it was good for the camp to meet a high-profile person ahead of a big event. “It is good to hear some words of encouragement from such a reputed person. This will certainly motivate us going into the World Cup,” said the skipper. Earlier, Australian Embassy’s first secretary Damien Dunn had visited the U-19 camp before it left for the ACC U-19 Asia Cup.

Performers to earn cash reward

KATHMANDU: Model Global Visas Consultancy, an education consultant, will reward the U-19 cricketers who will give the best performance at the ICC U-19 World Cup to be held in Australia next month. The consultancy will give Rs 50,000 to the batsmen who make 75 or more runs and bowlers who pick up four or more wickets during the World Cup.

Manoj Jaishi, Managing Director of the Company, made the announcement during the team’s training camp at the Tribhuvan University Stadium on Friday. “I have been a great fan of cricket. I know the announcement will motivate the boys to perform better in Australia,” said Jaishi. Jaishi also said the consultancy will pick three top performers from the World Cup to appoint the goodwill ambassador of the company. The goodwill ambassadors will be provided with a monthly allowance for one year.