ICC to discuss CAN’s incompetence seriously

Kathmandu, October 9

At a time when National Sports Council is preparing to bring in new faces in the Cricket Association of Nepal, the International Cricket Council is mulling stern action against Nepal cricket when the Development Committee meets in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

A source close to the ICC confirmed that the Development Committee was discussing about the status of CAN seriously and the Nepal committee was likely to face stern action. “Nepal is a separate agenda in the ICC Development Committee meeting and the officials will be seriously discussing the incompetence of the Nepali board in handling the association’s activities,” said the source.

The source declined to elaborate about the issue but said the Development Committee might take the decision of suspending the CAN for certain period and if not warn the Nepali body along with heavy fine. “Something harsh or strong decision is expected from the meeting,” the source said.

The ICC is not happy with the CAN, especially in three areas — financial handling, accountability among office bearers and response to the international body’s correspondence. Recently, the ICC took away two tournaments from Nepal, the ICC U-19 Global Qualifiers was shifted to Malaysia, while Nepal’s World Cricket League Championship matches against Papua New Guinea were moved to the United Arab Emirates. Although the ICC has cited security reasons for shifting the events, the root cause is the indifference shown by the CAN in organising the tournaments. “CAN even does not reply emails sent by the ICC,” the source said. “It’s high time we

move ahead with concrete decision.”

CAN is also facing difficult situation at home as the NSC is planning to bring in new faces. The NSC last week ask-ed the CAN to furnish clarification on 15 points and the sports’ governing body is pla-nning to send another letter in a couple of days. Like the ICC, the NSC also raised questions over handling of the international funds and nomination of team managers going against the instructions of the ICC. Earlier, the ICC had slapped a fine of Rs 8.4 million for not complying with the financial regulations.

At present, only 16 office bearers are left from the 31-member CAN committee, which was elected in 2011. Ten officials, including President Tanka Angbuhang and General Secretary Ashok Nath Pyakurel, stepped down following the corruption charges by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, while two officials resigned from their posts and NSC withdrew other two nominated by the sports governing body. Senior Vice-president TB Shah, who was appointed as the acting President following the CIAA charge against 10 officials, passed away.