KATHMANDU, March 16: Cricket Players Association of Nepal (CPAN) has postponed the previously announced second edition of NCCS-CPAN Cricket Awards indefinitely amid precautions against coronavirus (COVID-19) on Sunday. In a press statement released on Sunday, the president of CPAN, Manish Raj Pandey and general secretary Paras Khadka assured that the new dates will be finalized once control measures are developed against the growing pandemic.

“People’s health is of paramount importance. It is something we need to be aware of. Hence, to avoid any compromising circumstances, the awards are postponed for a future date,” stated the press release. The Cricket Awards which was started last year, has annual awards on five categories, recognizing the contributions of cricket players in the last calendar year.

The association was set to distinguish the Men’s Player of the Year, Women’s Player of the Year, Emerging Player, Best Moment and Lifetime Achievement Award for the second year in a row.

The organizers led by current president Pandey stated that, the individual winners in both categories will receive cash prize of Rs 132,000 each whereas the other three categories (emerging, moment and lifetime) will bag a prize amount of Rs 66,000 each along with the award during a presentation ceremony in the first week of April.

The men’s winner had received the above mentioned amount whereas women winner was restricted to Rs 66,000 last year. However, both are set to bag the same amount in cash prize this year. Sandeep Lamichhane and Sita Rana Magar won the respective awards in the first edition of the awards. The award for Best Moment of the year will be provided based on the votes registered by cricket fans from online voting. The CPAN will shortly announce the final list of nominations for the best moment in a few days, informed Pandey. A technical committee is formed to award the winners of other three categories whereas the lifetime award will be given to a veteran for his\her contribution in Nepali cricket. NCCS was set to partner for the event for the second year in a row.

Earlier, the fourth edition of franchise-based T20 cricket league Everest Premier League, due to be played from March 14 to March 28, was postponed until further notice owing to possible spread of coronavirus. 

The organizer stated that the event was suspended following the Nepal government’s request to refrain from hosting mass gatherings to avoid possible transmission. The event is set to be re-scheduled at the closest possible time once the situation is favorable.

 
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