Akhtar to open cricket academy in Kathmandu
Biratnagar, January 1:
Aamir Akhtar, who returned back after playing professional cricket in England, is opening Sangri-La Cricket Academy in Kathmandu on January 13.
Akhtar said that the academy would help develop cricket in Nepal, also hinting his aim to represent the Nepali cricket team, that he has served in the past.
He is the first Nepali to play professional cricket in England. Akhtar, 25, a resident of Biratnagar, represented Nepal in two international games before leaving for England to persue his studies. He played Youth Asia Cup (Under-19) in Singapore in 1999 and was also a member of the Nepali U-19 World Cup team in Sri Lanka in 2000. Akhtar was called in the national team for the Inter-continental Cup four-day tournament against the hosts Namibia this year.
Akhtar played for various clubs including Barclays Bank, Stevenage Cricket Club, Surrey County Cricket Club, among others in England. He also led the University of Bedfordshire during his stay in England. During his study in India, he led the Humdard Public School team in New Delhi.
“Cricketers can earn their living by playing in other countries but that isn’t possible in Nepal,” he said. “I would try my best to share my experiences in Nepal,” Akhtar said, suggesting big corporate houses to form their cricket team hiring players.
“Efforts by the government and Cricket Association of Nepal alone will not be sufficient for the development of the game,” Akhtar said. “The involvement of private sectors in cricket is most desirable,” concluded Akhtar.