The Government of India extended its support to the Nepal national cricket team by gifting cricket kit on Thursday evening, aiming to enhance their performance and training.
Nepali cricket team has made significant strides in a relatively short period of time. In a gesture of goodwill, the Indian Ambassador to Nepal presented 20 cricket bats and pairs of shoes during a special ceremony held at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
Paras Khadka, the Secretary of the Cricket Association of Nepal, expressed his gratitude for this gesture and emphasized its significance in strengthening the bilateral relationship. He stated, “We are very grateful and honored that the Indian Embassy has given us an opportunity to strengthen this relationship. More than just handing over the kit, I believe it marks the beginning of a broader and more meaningful partnership that Nepal Cricket greatly benefits from.”
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Khadka, a former national team captain who now holds an administrative role within the Nepal cricketing body, also called for increased cooperation and coordination with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to further enhance Nepal’s cricketing capabilities.
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The captain of Nepal’s national cricket team, Rohit Paudel, appealed to Indian Embassy officials to facilitate more opportunities for them to play and practice with the Indian team. Paudel acknowledged India’s stature in world cricket and its proximity as a neighbor, saying, “I don’t need to emphasize the importance of BCCI in global cricket. India is our close neighbor, and with the embassy’s support, we hope to engage with the BCCI and the Indian Government to advance Nepal’s cricket.
“Having played in the Asia Cup against the Indian team, our cricketing journey took a significant turn. In cricketing terms, India is currently the best team, and we believe that playing against them or under their guidance would be a tremendous learning opportunity for us. We sincerely hope that the Indian Embassy will help foster this relationship. On behalf of the Nepali cricket team, I extend our heartfelt thanks to the Indian Embassy for providing us with the cricket gear,” Paudel further added.
During the event, Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, pledged to make every effort to support and facilitate Nepali cricket team. He noted the timing of the handover, saying, “The cricket bats have arrived at the perfect moment as you prepare for the upcoming qualifiers. To me, this signifies the beginning of a journey between the Indian Embassy and the Nepali cricket team as you continue to develop your strengths and compete on the global stage. These bats represent the start of a promising partnership between us, which will help you excel and compete with the best in the world,” Ambassador Srivastava declared.
(ANI)
