KATHMANDU, Jan 23: As the March 5 House of Representatives (HoR) election approaches, its ripple effects are being felt beyond traditional political circles. This time, the electoral contest has drawn in familiar faces from Nepal’s cricketing world, with several prominent figures trading the pitch for politics.
A number of personalities who built their public stature through cricket are now seeking voter endorsement, aiming to move from sporting influence to policy-making roles and national leadership.
Curator puts Pune pitch 'on sale' hours before Ind-NZ 2nd ODI
Leading the list is Chatur Bahadur Chand, President of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Chand has stepped into the electoral race from Baitadi on a Nepali Congress (NC) ticket, where he also serves as the party’s district president. Known for his long association with Nepali cricket, Chand has balanced sporting leadership with active political engagement.
First elected CAN president on September 29, 2019, Chand is currently serving his second term after being re-elected on September 23, 2023. Over the years, he has held several key positions within CAN and played an instrumental role in lifting the suspension imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Under his leadership, Nepali cricket recorded historic achievements, significantly expanding the sport’s popularity across the country. Now, after steering cricket administration, Chand is seeking a wider public mandate through politics.
Another well-known name in the race is Gyanendra Malla, former captain of the Nepali national cricket team. Recently active as a cricket coach, Malla has entered the political arena as a proportional representation candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). His candidacy marks a shift from sporting leadership to a potential role in national decision-making.
Joining them is Sachin Timilsena, a young cricket commentator widely recognized among Nepali youth. The NC has fielded him as a direct candidate from Kathmandu–4. With his popularity built through cricket commentary, Timilsina’s political debut signals a possible expansion of his public influence beyond the game.
