Cricketers meet Minister Nepali

KATHMANDU: A group of cricketers today submitted the memorandum to Youth and Sports Minister Ganesh Nepali at the ministry today.

The players have demanded jobs for the national team cricketers, formation of the cricket teams in Tribhuvan Army Club, Nepal Police Club and Nepal APF Club, facilities while representing the nation, and the government’s contribution in the infrasture development of cricket. The cricketers, led by national team skipper Binod Das, had submitted the same memorandum to the Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal last week.

Minister Nepali said he would put the players’ demands at the National Sports Council (NSC) board meeting and address the problems soon. The NSC board, however, is yet to be formed after the resignation of Member Secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha, vice president Sita Ram Maskey and member Purendra Bikram Lakhe.

Asked about the formation of the NSC board, minister Nepali said the process would take time. “I don’t think it will be formed in a day or two. It is going to take time to form the bull board at the NSC,” he said.

The minister also said that he would discuss the issues with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) President Binay Raj Pandey. “I will also discuss the matter with CAN President Pandey and the

concerned authorities in security forces about forming the departmental teams,” he said.

National team skipper Das said the authorities would address the issue as soon as possible. “We are hopeful that the issues will be addressed,” said Das.

Vice-captain Paras Khadka and national team members Sanjam Regmi, Manjeet Shrestha, Amrit Bhattarai, Basanta Regmi, Gyanendra Malla and Sharad Vesawkar were also present on the occasion.