Cricket Association of Nepal appoints new CEO

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has named Bhawana Ghimire as its chief executive, while Prakash Maharjan was appointed as finance manager. The lack of a full-time paid administrator, as ICC administration statute 2.1 requires, had put Nepal on a warning list in June. However, with Ghimire's appointment, CAN have avoided a potential suspension.

"Ghimire will, among other things, be in charge of managing the day to day affairs of CAN, coordinating and communicating with the ICC and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and managing sponsorships for the national team," Uttam Karmacharya, the acting general secretary of CAN, said.

Ghimire and Maharjan are on provisional contracts which will be confirmed after they complete six months. They will assume office on Saturday.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Ghimire said, "I intend to put in place systems which will help in the seamless functioning of CAN, which will be to the benefit of all stakeholders involved."

CAN have been on thin ice for a while. In addition to the ICC warning, head coach Pubudu Dassanayake had left the country with unresolved issues around his contract in June. The previous administration had invited scrutiny from the Commission for Investigation into Abuse of Authority. The players too have had issues with the board and boycotted the domestic one-day tournament over a pay dispute in April. Tarini Bikram Shah, the acting president of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), had remarked that things were "in a state of turmoil."

However, with Ghimire and Maharjan coming on board and Dassanayake having rejoined as coach till June 2015, things are looking up.

"The recent issues can mostly be put down to mis-communication," Ghimire said. "Going forward, we will ensure that cricket in Nepal is run in as professional a manner as possible."

Ghimire, whose association with the game included playing college cricket, hopes to work with the BCCI to generate the necessary infrastructure to help Nepal cricket progress.

"The first step must be to set up an international quality cricket ground in Kathmandu. I plan to hold hands with the BCCI and set up such a facility with their assistance, technical and otherwise.

"My first aim is to ensure that Nepal plays in next year's Duleep Trophy. Nepal has about four million people of Indian origin, which is among the highest in the world. With support from the BCCI, Indian clubs and regional academies, Nepal can graduate from playing T20Is to receiving ODI status.

"Brian Lara recently played a match at Wormsley, in Rwanda colours, to generate funds for the Rwanda Cricket Stadium Foundation, a charity established to build an international cricket stadium in Kigali, the Rwandan capital. We need similar initiatives for Nepal.

"Charity games in Nepal, between India and Pakistan, or even involving teams from the Indian Premier League, will go a long way in helping Nepal cricket."

Ghimire has a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Wales. She has worked with Punjab National Bank in London and then with a wealth management company in Bahrain, where she was also involved in work relating to Formula One, the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga.

"My stint with Western Gulf Advisory in Bahrain gave me an understanding of sports management, handling of players and the requirements at the highest level," she said.

"Nepal is known as the Land of Buddha and the Everest, but now I also want us to be known for Nepalese cricket."

Ghimire and Maharjan received their formal appointment letters today, but CAN had issued the order on Saturday. Afterwards, a function was held to felicitate the Nepal players and the support staff for their performance in the World T20. A prize of 1,50,000 Nepali Rupees was awarded to each member.