Tag: featured

The ‘Everest Rugby Legacy’ campaign has been announced to promote the development of rugby and sports tourism in Nepal. This two-year initiative, starting from November 2026 to April 2028, is a collaboration between Himalayan Sports Management (HSM) and the Nepal Rugby Association. Rugby activities will be conducted across all seven provinces, culminating in a world record attempt in April 2027 and a T-One rugby tournament in the Everest region in April 2028. (October 10, Kathmandu)

At the event on Friday, Vinod Tamang, Chairman of Himalayan Sports Management, announced the campaign, while Saral Sahayatri, the Minister of Economic Affairs of Bagmati Province, inaugurated it. The campaign will be implemented in three phases. The first phase involves a nationwide rugby tour under the slogan ‘Seven Provinces, Seven Campaigns’, with plans to organize two-day rugby and community festivals in each province.

The second phase, scheduled for April 2027, aims to set a world record by playing rugby continuously for the longest duration. The third phase, in April 2028, will feature a T-One rugby competition held at high-altitude locations in the Everest region. This campaign also emphasizes youth empowerment, women’s participation, tourism promotion, cultural exchange, climate conservation, and responsible adventure tourism alongside rugby development.

The campaign announcement event was attended by Ramcharitra Mehta, Secretary General of the National Sports Council; Tanklal Ghising, Vice President of Asia Rugby; Deepak Devkota, President of Nepal Rugby Association; Greg Claven, Acting Australian Ambassador; Pramod Hamal, Vice President of Karnali Province Sports Development Committee; Rajkumar Karki, President of Nepal School Sports Federation, among others. All participants expressed their commitment to supporting the campaign.

After Oman defeated Canada, it has become certain that the Nepal cricket team will not finish in the top four of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2. As a result, Nepal will no longer qualify directly for the World Cup qualifiers and will have to compete through the playoffs to continue their journey. Currently, Nepal is in seventh place with 24 points from 32 matches, and even by winning all remaining games, they can reach a maximum of just 32 points.

Kathmandu, October 10 – It is now confirmed that the Nepal national cricket team will not finish among the top four in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2. Oman’s victory over Canada on Friday sealed Nepal’s fate, ending their hopes of a direct qualification to the World Cup qualifiers. Consequently, Nepal will have to pursue their qualification chances through the playoff stage, whereas earlier they were on track to qualify directly from within the top four.

Following their win against Canada, Oman currently have 33 points from 29 matches. Nepal, with 24 points from 32 matches, can reach no more than 32 points even if they win every remaining game. The top three teams in League 2 have already been decided: the United States has clinched the championship with 47 points from 34 matches, Scotland follows with 45 points from 36 matches, and the Netherlands have accumulated 38 points from 32 matches. Oman sits fourth with 33 points from 29 matches, Namibia is fifth with 29 points from 34 matches, and Canada is sixth with 25 points from 33 matches.

Nepal currently ranks seventh with 24 points from 32 matches, while the UAE holds eighth place with 19 points from 30 matches. The competition in League 2 remains intense among the United States, Namibia, and the UAE. Tonight, Namibia and the UAE will face each other, while Nepal is set to compete against Canada on Sunday.

In the first Test match against South Africa held in Durban, Australian opener Nick Maddinson was dismissed for a duck after facing 33 balls. Maddinson established a new record in Test cricket history for the most balls faced without scoring any runs.

Making his return to the Australian Test side for the first time since 2016 due to Cameron Green’s injury, Maddinson stayed at the crease for 49 minutes during the match played on 23rd October in Kathmandu but failed to score any runs. He was dismissed attempting a cut shot off Marco Jansen’s bowling, where the ball struck the inside edge of the bat and hit the stumps.

Maddinson ranks third on the list of openers who have faced the most balls before getting out for zero in Test cricket. The record is topped by New Zealand’s Darrin Murray, who faced 39 balls against Sri Lanka in 1995, followed by Zimbabwe’s Trevor Gripper, who faced 36 balls against the West Indies in 2000.

This match marked Maddinson’s first Test appearance since the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in 2016. He was recalled to the squad due to Cameron Green’s injury. Last month, Maddinson scored 126 runs in a domestic one-day competition representing New South Wales. Despite some questions about his selection, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins expressed confidence in Maddinson’s recent form and preparation. Furthermore, Maddinson’s return holds personal significance as he underwent chemotherapy for testicular cancer about 18 months ago.

October 9, Kathmandu – For the third season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Sudurpashchim Royals have chosen Tek Raj Thalal as their iconic player through a talent hunt organized by the team. The talent hunt was conducted across various districts of Sudurpashchim Province to scout local cricket talents at the grassroots level. The event included players from Darchula, Baitadi, Bajhang, Doti, Dadeldhura, Achham, Bajura, Kailali, and Kanchanpur.

The talent hunt commenced on October 1 in Dilasaini, Baitadi, featuring players from Darchula and Baitadi. It continued on October 2 in Bajhang, October 3 in Doti and Dadeldhura, and October 4 in Achham and Bajura. On October 6, the hunt moved to Dhangadhi, focusing on players from Kailali and Kanchanpur. The final stage took place on October 7 and 8 at the Dhangadhi Cricket Academy.

Tek Raj Thalal is a former member of the Sudurpashchim Development Squad and has now been elevated to serve as the iconic player for Sudurpashchim Royals in the third season of the NPL. Additionally, from the talent hunt, Aryan BK and Lokesh Joshi from Kanchanpur; Hemant Budha, Santosh Bishwakarma, and Sudhanshu Rawal from Kailali; as well as Birendra Bam from Darchula have been selected as ‘heroes.’ All five of these players will also be included in the Sudurpashchim Development Squad.

A case has been filed at the District Court of Lalitpur against Pankajvikram Nembang, President of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), General Secretary Kiran Rai, and two others. On October 9, Kathmandu. The District Government Attorney’s Office in Lalitpur registered the case concerning alleged financial irregularities within ANFA and matters related to the Nepal-Bahrain international football match, naming them as defendants. The accused include President Nembang, General Secretary Rai, Treasurer Ravindra Joshi, and Accounts Officer Sanjiv Pandey.

The Government Attorney’s Office has brought charges under Section 33 (g) of the Sports Development Act, 2077, and Section 249, Subsection 3 (a) of the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074. Investigations conducted by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police concluded there were multiple irregularities under ANFA’s leadership. Based on these findings, the Government Attorney’s Office proceeded with the case. According to the CIB report, irregularities ranged from the Bahrain match to the procurement of sports materials, and it was concluded that ANFA leadership played a role in creating conditions that prevented the Nepal-Bahrain FIFA World Cup qualifier match scheduled for 2024 from being held in Nepal.

The report noted that the Dashrath Rangasala stadium was rendered unfit for international matches and that before the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ordered the match to be played at a neutral venue, General Secretary Rai had already agreed to hold the game in Bahrain. Additionally, the report highlights that US $20,000 in ticket sales revenue from the Bahrain Football Association did not reach ANFA’s institutional account, while expenses exceeding NPR 3.85 million for Bahrain’s players and officials’ airfare were deposited into ANFA’s account.

The CIB also found irregularities in the procurement of Kelme brand sports materials. The report from the subcommittee of the Public Accounts Committee pointed out that tendering procedures were not followed for purchases exceeding NPR 1 million, and the three companies involved shared the same ownership. Over the past three and a half years, ANFA bought sports materials worth approximately NPR 140 to 150 million, with irregularities found in distribution as well. Furthermore, the CIB concluded there was a lack of transparency in distributing and selling 330 online FIFA World Cup tickets and detected irregularities in the procurement and sponsorship funds related to Sherpa Outdoors.

Among the four accused, Treasurer Joshi and Accounts Officer Pandey are currently under CIB custody. The Government Attorney’s Office has requested an extension from the court to arrest President Nembang and General Secretary Rai. The CIB determined that ANFA officials engaged in unauthorized agreements without obtaining permissions from the Ministry or the National Sports Council, took teams abroad without proper approvals, and were involved in procurement irregularities.

October 9, Kathmandu – Preparations are underway to host the upcoming board meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Nepal. Roshan Singh, Vice President of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), stated that the ICC board meeting is planned to be held in Nepal during the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026 season. “The proposal to hold the ICC board meeting in Nepal, in conjunction with the NPL, is nearly finalized, with only a few issues remaining. Official announcement will be made soon,” Singh said.

With representatives from the ICC expected to attend, Singh believes this event will have a positive impact on Nepal’s tourism sector and the development of cricket, while also attracting further support. He noted that the meeting can be scheduled once only a few matches from the final phase of the NPL remain. “We aim to create an environment where ICC develops a positive perspective towards Nepal, especially by showcasing the cricket atmosphere here,” he added. The third edition of the NPL is set to begin on November 25, with intense preparations currently underway at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground.

October 9, Kathmandu – The Biratnagar Kings have confirmed the continuation of Sri Lanka’s former international cricketer Dhammika Prasad as head coach for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Prasad will once again take charge of the team’s training and strategic leadership for the upcoming season. The team cited his extensive experience in bowling coaching, player development, and team management as key reasons for his reappointment.

Right-arm fast bowler Prasad has represented Sri Lanka in 25 Tests, 24 One-Day Internationals, and 14 T20 Internationals. As a coach, he has served as assistant and bowling coach for the United States national cricket team. He has also worked as bowling coach for the Nepal and Oman national teams. In franchise cricket, Prasad gained experience as bowling coach of Colombo Kings, training director of Kandy Bolts, and assistant coach of Kandy Royals in the Lanka Premier League.

Expressing his happiness on being entrusted with the role again, Prasad said the previous season’s failure to reach the playoffs was a painful experience. He expressed hope that the team would return stronger and perform much better this time. “I am very happy and excited to be associated with Biratnagar Kings again this season. Last season’s exit from the playoffs was a very painful and disappointing moment,” he stated.

Currently, the Biratnagar Kings are training at the Purvanchal Cricket Academy in Uttar Pradesh, India, preparing for the third edition of the NPL. The team has strengthened its preparation by playing practice matches under floodlights against Indian players who have competed in the Ranji Trophy. Prasad mentioned that the training in India is improving the team’s overall readiness. “Our training in India is going very well, and the players are receiving excellent preparation,” he said.

October 8, Kathmandu – Sri Lanka’s Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva has resigned from the captaincy with immediate effect. The 35-year-old de Silva confirmed that he will remain available as a player for the national team. In a letter sent to the selection committee of Sri Lanka Cricket, he stated that it is time to hand over the leadership to the next generation. “In my honest opinion, it is time to transfer the leadership responsibility to the next generation,” he wrote in the letter.

De Silva led Sri Lanka’s Test team from 2024 to 2026. Under his captaincy, Sri Lanka played 18 Test matches, winning seven, losing eight, and drawing three. He was appointed the Test captain in 2024 following Dimuth Karunaratne’s retirement from Test cricket.

During his tenure, Sri Lanka secured series victories at home against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, as well as on the tour to Bangladesh. They also won a home Test series against New Zealand. In only his second match as captain, de Silva scored centuries in both innings against Bangladesh in Sylhet, leading Sri Lanka to a comprehensive 328-run victory. Throughout his captaincy, he compiled two additional centuries and maintained a batting average of 36.45.

Ashley de Silva, Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Cricket, extended his best wishes to Dhananjaya for the remainder of his playing career and expressed gratitude for his leadership of the Test team. Sri Lanka Cricket has not yet announced the name of the new Test captain to replace de Silva.