Sports

ICC soon to lift suspension of Nepal cricket governing body

ICC soon to lift suspension of Nepal cricket governing body

By Sanjeev Kumar Shah

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (centre) with the three-member delegation of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Minister for Youth and Sports Daljit Shripaili among others, at his official residence, in Baluwatar, on Sunday, September 4, 2016. Photo Courtesy: PM's Secretariat

KATHMANDU: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday hinted that it would soon lift the suspension of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and bring the Nepal cricket activities back to its track. In a meeting with the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today, the ICC representatives also agreed to form a committee to govern cricket activities here. After the meeting, ICC Chief Executive Officer David Richardson said the next step in the road map toward ending the suspension would be formation of an ICC Advisory Group consisting of various stakeholders of Nepali cricket. The ICC on April 24 had suspended the membership of the Cricket Association of Nepal for engaging in the government interference and failing to conduct free and fair elections. It has been managing the Nepal national cricket team on its own since then. The initial mandate of the Advisory Group would be to review the CAN constitution, he said, adding, 'Once we have reviews and amendments, a fresh constitution will facilitate election.' Richardson, ICC Development Committee’s Associate Member Director Imran Khawaja and Finance Manager Amar Sheikh had met PM Dahal to discuss Nepal cricket governance today. Minister for Youth and Sports Daljit Shripaili and National Sports Council Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista were also present during the meeting. (Updated) ICC delegation calls on PM Dahal THT Online KATHMANDU: A delegation from the International Cricket Council met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the latter's official residence at Baluwatar on Sunday. The three-member delegation, led by ICC CEO David Richardson, reached PM's residence to pay a courtesy call before initiating their assignment, which is to discuss with authorities ways to resolve the ongoing crisis in the Cricket Association of Nepal. The ICC on April 24 had suspended the membership of the Cricket Association of Nepal for engaging in the government interference and failing to conduct free and fair elections. It has been managing the Nepal national cricket team on its own since then. The ICC delegation had reached Kathmandu on Saturday. Minister for Youth and Sports Daljit Shripaili, National Sports Council Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista and former CAN CEO Bhawana Ghimire, whom the ICC has entrusted with managing the Nepal team locally, were also present in the meeting.