As per the 2013 ICC Development Funding Policy, Nepal will receive $175,000. ICC will distribute the amount to its affiliate and associate member nations within rank nine to 12, while the top eight ranked affiliate and associate member nations will get $ 350,000. [break]
"We should invest this grant in the preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers," said Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) President Tanka Aangbuhang. The qualifiers is scheduled to be held in New Zealand in January 2014.
Nepal became the 11th ranked affiliate and associate nation after winning the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 held in Bermuda last month. Winning the tournament, Nepal had secured promotion to Division 2.
ICC has been providing $300,000 every year to Nepal in grant. Besides, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) provides $60,000 every year for office expenditure. ACC also provides additional financial support if it saves significant amount from Asia Cup.
CAN President Aangbuhang said the high performance grant has given CAN a huge relief. "With this grant, we can at least plan a training program for our national side," said Aangbuhang. "Meanwhile, we are expecting support from the government and are preparing a detailed program for the World Cup Qualifiers," he added.
According to Aangbuhang, CAN could use the grant also to send players for foreign training. "We are sending Binod Bhandari and Pradeep Airee to Sri Lanka to play club cricket there. Meanwhile, we are also planning some tours for the national squad to Sri Lanka or Bangladesh. We are also planning to call some foreign teams and experts here," said Aangbuhang.
Bhandari and Airee will play for Kurunegala Youth Cricket Club in the Sri Lankan U-23 Club Cricket League. Last year, pacer Amrit Bhattarai and Chandra Sawad had played the league.
Nepal could reach the World Cup if it finishes the World Cup Qualifiers on the top two positions. If Nepal finishes the qualifiers within top four, Nepal would get One-Day status.
Nepal is also competing in the World T20 Qualifiers to be held in the UAE in November this year. The top six teams among the participating 16 teams of the T20 Qualifiers would reach to the World T20.
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