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Makings
of a cricket infant - Nepal
“Sri
Lanka’s star batsman Roy Dias has done an excellent job for
Nepalese cricket to reach greater heights” said, Tarini Bikram
Shah, Manager of the Nepal Under-19 team who are here to take part
in the Junior World Cup to be staged next month.
The
team has come here well in advance to get themselves acclimatized
to the conditions. They come from a cold region closer to the Himalayas.
Shah was interviewed at the Colts ground.
Bikram
said the national cricket structure is like a pyramid. Nepal has
been playing cricket for a long time. But found its rhythm after
gaining full membership with the Asian cricket Council in 1996.
Despite limited playing opportunities. Nepal has emerged Under-15,
17 and 19 Asian Cricket Conference champions.
Q: Your structure must be good to achieve success.
A: Yes, all work for the right reasons. All disciplines
come under the National Sports Council. The State gives all necessary
support. Facilities – including government controlled playing
fields.
Q:
Could you elaborate on your structure?
A: It’s like a pyramid made up of six zones along
with five to seven district zones. Approximately 6 to 8 clubs per
district player base is about 9000 (seniors/ juniors).
There are inter-club tournaments for all age groups in the district
and a district team is formed. They play inter-district matches
to form the zonal team followed by an inter-zonal tournament to
pick national teams of all age groups.
Q:
What about coaches?
A: Yes. There are coaches at all levels including national
coach Roy Dias who is the overall head. He has been appointed by
the Asian cricket Council and served Nepal cricket for the past
five years. At present he is directly on contract with the Cricket
Association of Nepal and is involved with the Under 15, 17, 19,
and the seniors.
Q:
Despite your limited opportunities Nepal has done reasonably well.
A: The junior World Cup is the only opportunity we get
to play against test playing nations. In the year 2000 World Cup
held in New Zealand we beat Pakistan, Scotland, Canada, Namibia
and qualified for the plate final, but lost the final to Zimbabwe.
In the year 2004 World Cup in Bangladesh we defeated South Africa,
Uganda and Papua New Guinea, but still failed to qualify for the
Plate Final.
Q:
Does India support your cause?
A: Not substantially other than buying the gear from India.
Q:
Any expatriates like in other emerging countries?
A: No, the entire team is Nepalese. It’s by law.
Apparently most of the associate members (ICC) have foreign youth
players, in their national teams. Further foreigners are barred
from playing in the national tournaments organized by the controlling
body.
The
team is led by Kaniska Chavgai. The lads may not win a major trophy
here. But are keen and are prepared to learn. What they need is
regular exposure and competition said Roy Dias. It’s cricket
for all in Nepal. Besides Dias, there is another Sri Lankan stalwart
helping them in Rumesh Ratnayake as ACC Development Officer.
At
present he is serving in the Maldives.
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