Your E Mails

I read your piece about the next team to gain Test status. Being a Nepali and an avid sports fan I was pleased to see that Nepal seem to have good prospect in the eyes of international observers of being one of the next nations to get "test status."

Being very close to the Nepali sports scene, I run a Nepali soccer website, I must say that unfortunately Nepal's prospects of being a Test nation is much further away then one would think.

As it was correctly pointed out, yes, Nepal does have a cricket culture and its geographic location is well suited to bolster the game in Nepal. What was not considered is that while Nepal does have a cricket culture it lacks a sports culture which is needed if Nepal wishes to join the ranks of its neighbors in cricket.

Sports is marginalized in Nepali society and is looked on as a passtime, not as a cultural, social or career opportunity. Thus Nepal lacks proper leagues, training programs, facilities and government support in sports. Nepal also lacks youth who aspire to be sportsmen as it is not looked upon as a career opportunity but a hobby.

I know my statements somewhat contradict the comments made by Cricket Association of Nepal's president, but I remind you that again that is because Nepal lacks a sports culture.

People who run sports in Nepal generally (and I stress "generally") tend to have somewhat a obscured view of international sport as once again there is a lack of a sports culture in Nepal. Compared to other sports in Nepal, sure cricket is in a great position in terms of youth development, interest, infrastructure, training, etc. What is failed to be mentioned is Nepal's great infrastructure basically consists of one international standard oval (which still lacks permanent seating) and perhaps a half-a-dozen or so "suitable" playing ovals.

The youth development is limited to a very small number of teenagers and there is no proper domestic league in Nepal, just a bunch of micro invitational tournaments here and there.

Does Nepal have the potential? Certainly! The main thing, and I hope that I don't sound like a broken record, is that Nepal lacks a sports culture. It is thus essential for the ICC or the ACC to try to come up with systematic outlines and guidlines for nations like Nepal to enhance cricket domestically. That means more than just a coach and some coaching clinics. It means comming up with national youth training programs and advice and support on how to successfully run a domestic league....

Nepal if given proper help and guidance can surely compete with its neighbors in the near future, but relying on the Nepali people themselves to solely bring the game up to "test status" is perhaps a bit too opptimistic.

Biplav Gautam Bangkok, Thailand