Kathmandu – The Embassy of India on Friday announced to provide a two-year scholarship worth Rs 5,000 per month to the member squad of the national cricket team that won ACC U-19 Women’s Championship in Kuwait a couple of weeks ago with a two-year scholarship worth Rs 5,000 per month.
Along with the scholarship, the players also received insurance policies worth Rs 100,000 for two years for sports injury from National Insurance Company.
Nepal had won the title of ACC U-19 Women’s Championship for the three consecutive editions. Nepal lifted the title defeating Thailand by six wickets in Kuwait on February 10. Nepal had won inaugural edition in Thailand in 2008 before lifting the second in Singapore in 2010.
The 14-member team included skipper Rubina Chhetri, Shraddha Aryal, Indu Verma, Shilu Rijal, Kavita Gautam, Saraswati Kumari Chaudhary, Mamta Kumari Chaudhary, Sonu Khadka, Aarati Bidari, Dropati Kunwar, Pratikshya Basyal, Santoshi Kumari Chaudhary, Sangeeta Gauchan, Anuradha Chaudhary and Saraswati Magar.
Indian ambassador to Nepal Jayant Prasad congratulated the team for completing the hat-trick. Prasad handed over the scholarships to the players. “The government had earlier felicitated the team and we are glad to add them a further support”, said Prasad.
Education minister Dinanath Sharma said the scholarship will strengthen the relationship between two countries. He further wished the team for upcoming days and expressed his feeling toward cricket. “I surfed to get updates with the score whenever I was available and it was very good feeling to know that Nepal lifted the title”, added Sharma. The ceremony was also joined by Sports Minister Kamala Roka and Cricket Association of Nepal president Tanka Aangbuhang.
Representing the team, Shilu Rijal thanked the Embassy of India and said “Education is a vital need and it is very good to see the embassy supporting us with this.”
