Cricket Association of Nepal executive committee member Chhumbi Lama (right) speaks as other members look on during a press meet in Kathmandu on Sunday.THT
Kathmandu, January 29
A group of seven Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) executive committee members today demanded resignation of President Chatur Bahadur Chand and dissolution of the working committee.
CAN Executive Committee Members Rishi Ram Gautam, Daud Ansari, Sanjay Raj Singh, Karan Mahatara Chhetry, Amit Bir Pandey, Chhumbi Lama and Dharma Raj Giri accused the leadership of irregularities in various issues including the NepalT20 Cricket League. "They cannot stay in the position with an apology after making such a grave mistake," they said.
They also accused the five-member working committee - Chand, acting secretary Prashant Bikram Malla, treasurer Roshan Bahadur Singh and Members Durga Raj Pathak and Padam Khadka - of putting the executive committee in dark regarding the signing of Seven3Sports as the Strategic and Commercial partner of the NepalT20.
"The board was against the signing contract with Seven- 3Sports and the general as-sembly held in Dhangadhi gave the responsibility of taking final decision to the executive committee. But the working committee decided to sign the contract without the knowledge of executive committee. And they also did not give us the copy of contract despite several requests.
We also heard of three amendments in the contract through media," they claimed. "The leadership also never discusses about the appointment of coaches, selling rights of international events and domestic tournaments among others."
Member Chhumbi Lama claimed President Chand had criticised Seven3Sports while briefing board meeting and he was against signing the contract. "We had applauded the president for the decision at that time. But we do not know what compelled him to sign the contract with the same company after the gen-eral assembly," Lama said.
Another Member Rishi Ram Gautam said the CAN leadership needed to resign or face consequences. "We are here to save Nepali cricket from suspension. We do not want any interference from outsiders but we cannot let go the culprits without being punished," he said.
The group said the Governing Council of NepalT20 led by CAN acting secretary Malla was also equally responsible for irregularities in the tournament. The investigation committee formed by National Sports Council has already submitted its report recommending stern action against the CAN including suspension of the executive committee from one to three months. The NSC is yet to respond to the recommendations of the investigation committee. The Central Bureau of Investigation also probed NepalT20 and Nepal Police have accused 10 individuals in spot fixing. The CIB has already arrested two cricketers - national team allrounder Aadil Ansari and former Nepal international Mehboob Alam and they are currently in the custody.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 30, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
