By Sushil Thapa, Fairfax, VA
I am not a bit surprised that Cricket Association of Nepal is at its worst. Given the current circumstances surrounding Nepal cricket, things have gone from bad to worse.
The unnecessary controversy over skipper of the national team Mr. Paras Khadka is beyond my comprehension. The entire episode is nothing but an act of sheer desperation on the part of the cricket body.
I find it laughable, lamentable, pitiable and condemnable. It is totally irrelevant and makes no sense to me, whatsoever.
The back and forth in the latest war of words between Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and Mr. Khadka over the captaincy of Team Nepal and disciplinary action is unwarranted, least to say.
When CAN should have been focused in addressing and dealing with more pressing issues, it has shamelessly, needlessly preferred to pick a futile fight with Mr. Khadka.
If the corrupt, incompetent wise men at CAN seriously believe that removing Khadka from the captaincy or taking disciplinary action against him is the solution or in the best interest of Nepali cricket, so be it.
Stop making a big issue out of it. And whatever needs to be done, do it immediately. Don’t dilly-dally for too long.
Instead there seemed to have been indecisiveness on CAN’s part, fearing that its action would probably back fire, which is ludicrous and absurd.
Clearly, the cricket body has further exposed itself to mockery and ridicule, once again.
Everyone knows that Mr. Khadka has always been a vocal and outspoken captain. He is not afraid to speak his mind and criticize officials for their failure to perform their duties.
He has never backed down and always been vehemently outspoken in his opposition to CAN’s failed policies and governance which is well –known.
He is one lone athlete in the country who has courageously stood up against CAN that has no credibility and completely lost its way, driving Nepali cricket into oblivion.
Cricket and cricketers have long suffered because of inept, visionless, politicized CAN at the hands of most unprofessional, dishonest and corrupt minds who have done virtually nothing to address the most pressing problem in Nepali cricket.
The painful saga continues with no end in sight, which we have witnessed too frequently.
I don’t have the slightest hesitation to say that the cricket body has been an utter and colossal debacle.
CAN has turned into a cesspool of corruption, internal wrangling and dirty politics for a very long time.
We can draw a parallel between CAN and All Nepal Football Association of Nepal. They are the two most corrupt and worthless organizations.
The people in charge have destroyed and continue to destroy the two most popular sports in the country and ruined dreams of young aspiring athletes, over the decades.
Had Mr. Khadka been a mute spectator to the corrupt system and wrong doings of CAN, the situation would have been a lot worse for Nepali cricket.
Mr. Khadka is the country’s most high profile and popular sports personality.
He has been an invaluable player for Nepal and a dynamic, gutsy, inspirational captain on and off the field.
We need more vocal athletes like him who is not afraid to speak out against CAN. More cricketers should come forward to support the skipper’s agenda that is purely in the interest of Nepali cricket.
Otherwise, Nepali cricket is bound to go down deeper into the abyss.
Take Nepal football for example. Today, why is football down in the dumps? Why are footballers suffering like never seen before?
The answer is very simple. There is no united opposition to the vicious, tyrannical ANFA under Mr. Ganesh Thapa’s leadership.
Players and coaches are largely responsible for their misery and woes. They have allowed Mr. Thapa and his lackeys to dictate terms to everyone, and they are too timid and scared to raise their voice in protest.
I am at a loss to know what exactly is the role of Ms. Bhawana Ghimire CEO of CAN. By all accounts, it appears though CAN has reduced her to a ceremonial CEO.
Reports suggest that she has no say in the day-to-day affairs of CAN and has been largely ignored by CAN.
The resignation of head coach of Nepal Pabulum Dassanyake has further added fuel to the fire. The Sri Lankan departure underscores complete systemic failure on the part of CAN.
Nepali cricket is in dire straits and going nowhere.
