Dispute in CAN continues to drag on further

Central member of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) Rishiram Gautam has said that the only way to save Nepali cricket is the resignation of the members of the CAN work execution committee and the governing council.

One of the seven central members who boycotted the CAN meeting in Pokhara on Tuesday, Gautam said that the investigation committee formed by National Sports Council has concluded that CAN made serious mistakes in the handling of the recently concluded T20 league and has recommended the NSC dissolve the CAN.

The controversy in the Nepali cricket sector is getting heated after the first edition of the Nepal T-20 League held in Kathmandu last month. After it was proved that there was spot-fixing in many games under the league, the competition itself was dragged into controversy, along with the CAN leadership.

Meanwhile, CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand said that the decision to award the Indian company the right to hold the tournament was endorsed by all members of the board. He argued that it was unfair to demand resignation just over normal procedural errors during the operation of the league.

It may be noted that the CAN has signed an eight-year agreement with Seven3Sports, India to host the Nepal T-20 League.

Meanwhile, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police is also investigating the case of spot-fixing. Some cricketers and other individuals have been arrested on charges of involvement in match-fixing.

President of the Cricket Association of Kaski, Sanjay Kant Sigdel, said that the dispute in CAN will affect the development of Nepali cricket. The latest controversy in the national cricket authority does not give a good message and it should be resolved on time.

Meanwhile, the CAN board meeting in Pokhara today has decided that action will be taken against the cricketers and persons involved in the spot-fixing by the Code of Conduct of ICC and CAN.

The decisions of the board meeting were shared at a press meeting held here today. The meeting has also decided to withdraw the suspension of the former captain of the national cricket team, Sandeep Lamichhane. Lamichhane had been suspended by CAN after he was arrested on the charge of raping a minor. He is currently out on bail.

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