During a function organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in Kathmandu, Minister for Youth and Sports PurushottamPaudel handed over the keys of Suzuki's CiazZxi 1373cc car worth around Rs 3.8 million to Das.The government levied taxes of Rs 2,026,000, CAN provided Rs 500,000, car distributor CG l Motocorp (Suzuki) provided Rs 300,000 discount and Das paid remaining amount.
Das formally retired from all forms of cricket during Philip Huge Tribute match played at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on April 11.
CAN Acting President Deepak Koirala Acting General Secretary Uttam Karmacharya, Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) Secretary Dipendra Nath Sharma, Joint Secretary Choodamani Paudel, national team skipper ParasKhadka and other players were present at the function.
Das got his first international cap during the ACC U-19 Trophy held in Malaysia in 1997 and ended his career after playing for the national team in the ACC Trophy Elite held in the UAE in 2012.
However, he played Phillip Hughes Tribute Match played in Kathmandu on April 11and formally announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
"I don't like the word farewell, but ever since I announced my retirement I became a celebrity," Das said.
"Binod Das deserved the award and this award will inspire new players," said Nepali team skipper ParasKhadka.
Das, who has adopted new role as a coach, assisted Nepali national team in the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 in Namibia in January, ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers held in Ireland and Scotland in July and two List A matches of the ICC World Cricket League Championship against Scotland in last week of July.
"I started playing cricket at the age of eight or nine. I used to carry bat, ball, wickets to school and always wished to get enough time to play cricket. Carrying school bags was hard for me than carrying cricketing kits while taking a 2 km walk to school," remembered Das. "I always wished to make my parents proud and cricket gave me that opportunity," he added
Born on April 26, 1983 in Kaliaya, Das said he thought he had made his parents proud when his name was published in newspaper.
Das, who fondly remembers leading Nepal in the 2002 ICC U-19 World Cup in New Zealand with most number of wins. Nepal had won six matches out of eight.
"I was about to quit cricket in 2005 and earn money, but I felt that I could not run away from cricket," added Das. "I don't feel ashamed saying I always wished for this honor," he ended his words.
"I had never thought that Binod would receive such an award," said Minister for Youth and Sports PurushottamPaudel, who spent some years in Kalaiya and used to visit Das's hotel there.
Related story
Binod Das appointed DPL director
