Nepal cricketers seek government arbitration for their payment issues

Mumbai: Nepal's national players have sought Government arbitration for their payment disputes, according to Ashok Nath Pyakuryal, the general secretary of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).

Speaking exclusively over telephone from Kathmandu on Monday morning, he says, "The players have sought the interference from the Government. We are meeting the players on Tuesday when the official from the sports ministry will be present. We shall hear their concern and the disputes will be resolved amicably."

"We have a system in this country when these players are paid every six months and this time the limit has exceeded by two more months. The players have been travelling a lot and were not paid in time this time. But it is not a big issue."

"It is wondered why the players have gone on strike. They have boycotted the national one-day cricket championship which was scheduled to begin on April 9. They may have been misguided by some people or this situation is may be due to some vested interest. If the players have any issues they should have approached us directly."

According to the other sources in Nepal, the sports minister (Purshottam Paudel) may reshuffle the board soon. "I invited the players yesterday and heard their grievances. Have also called the CAN and people from National Council of Sports. If the CAN is unable to solve the problem, we shall make changes in the establishment," the minister, in an exclusive chat said from Kathmandu.

Paras Khadka, captain of the Nepal team which showed the impressive performance in the initial round of the recently concluded ICC World Twenty20, criticised the board for not helping the injured player, Prithu Baskota. The secretary A. N. Pyakuryal, however, added, "We sent the player to Delhi for rehabilitation and if needed, will again be sent to Australia for the treatment."