Nepal selected for BIP

KATHMANDU: Nepal has been selected for the ICC Business Improvement Programme (BIP) for the next one year. Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) said on Thursday that it had applied for the programme after the ICC called from its member countries. The programme is a new initiative of the ICC Member Service Department (MSD) to provide consultancy type services to the selected member countries to strengthen particular area of improvement, CAN said. CAN and ICC’s MSD will decide on the area of work together for the next one year with predetermined goal. The possible areas of improvement for Nepal could be Strategic Planning, Development Policies and Procedures, and Players, Officials and Coaches Pathways. The programme will seek expert advice from ICC to manage the game in more effective way. It will be a good opportunity for Nepal to strengthen its ties with the ICC while the international cricket governing body will have the chance to look closely the potential of the game in the country, said the CAN. — HNS

OCA honours Rana

KATHMANDU: Former Nepal Olympic Committee president Rukma Shumsher Rana was honoured with the Award of Merit by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The OCA president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah presented the award to Rana in recognition of his contribution and services of the Olympic movement in Nepal and the Asian region. Rana was also honoured with Award of Merit by the Association of National Olympic Committees in 2002. Meanwhile, OCA nominated Rana as an advisor of the OCA executive committee for the next four years. — HNS

NeBA condemns shooting

KATHMANDU: Nepal Basketball Association (NeBA) on Thursday condemned an unsuccessful attempted murder of CB Lama. Member of the NeBA central executive committee, Lama was shot by a group on Sunday night in Shantinagar area. The association, in a release, has also appealed the concerned authorities for the immediate action against the culprits. — HNS