Published: Feb 23, 2015, 03:40 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 23, 2015, 12:01 PM (IST)
Kathmandu: About 3,700 Nepalese cricket fans gathered in the Khullamanch, Kathmandu for a peaceful protest against the Government, National Sports Council (NSC) and Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Sunday. The fans accused these three institutions of staying idle rather than providing the helping hands to the proper development of cricket across the nation. Boys and girls dressed in the Nepal national cricket team jersey and with the Nepal national flag on their hands swaggered together for the peaceful protest and rally which started from Khullamanch.
The primary argument of the fans who were clearly livid specially with the CAN, was the governing body itself is trying to burry the game. The issue like corruption, fines payed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the lack of proper programmes, bust up with the players every now and then and the political interference were raised. Fans too showed the frustration regarding the lackluster preparation for the World Cricket League (WCL) Championship.
The chief demands of the fans in protests were: There should be the provision for scientific and proper domestic system, CAN should be made free of politics and should be run by the personnel who understand the game, necessary infrastructure should be managed without further delay, the future of the players should be made well assured and the running issues within CAN should be solved even if it means to dissolve it.
“Our domestic cricket is next to dead. Even after cricket has done so much to earn pride for Nepal, it hasn’t been cared properly. We don’t lack talent but our talent lacks exposure and cricket can not go ahead like this. So, we have been forced to take this action of peaceful protest, it will be peaceful; we hate violence. We have got only one chief demand i.e. Free cricket from politics and if we have proper management, rest will take care of itself.” Sanam Pathak, one of the pioneers of this protest was quoted saying to a local radio station prior to the protest. Pathak further claimed about 500 people outside the Kathmandu valley came to capital to join the protest and protest expanded to few other districts.
The two-hour-long rally went through to Ratnapark, Bhotahiti, Jamal, Ghantaghar,Purano buspark, Bhadrakali,Tudikhlel and terminated into Khullamanch. Protestants have warned of next serious programme if their demands go unnoticed.
(With inputs from Everest Cricket and Anush Aryal)
(Sandipan Banerjee is a reporter at CricketCountry. Cricket has been the biggest passion for him since his childhood. So, when it came to choosing his career, he chose to turn his passion into his profession. Apart from cricket he likes mountain trekking, river rafting, and photography. His twitter handle is @im_sandipan)
