The company is set to build parapet at the TU Grounds without any delay and is looking forward to organize an international tournament -- after upgrading the grounds next year -- that will see participation of countries like India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. [break]
ECEMC has already taken steps toward that end with coordination of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), according to ECEMC chief Suraj Baidya.
CAN and ECEMC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard on Tuesday. CAN President Binaya Raj Pandey and Baidya signed a 15-year agreement in that regard. Other members of ECEMC are Bhola Bikram Thapa, Kishor Maharjan and Nakimuddin.
“This is the appropriate time for Nepali cricket to rise and so our company decided to get engaged in it,” said Baidya, who is also the managing director of Baidya Organization. “We will begin the work with an investment of 20 million rupees and the total expenditure is estimated to be 260 to 300 million rupees. So we haven´t thought about profits right now.”
Baidya´s Toyota had sponsored Nepali cricket team during the 11th South Asian Games held earlier this year in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The company is planning to conduct a national tournament which Baidya hopes will help improve the future of the players.
CAN President Pandey views the agreement as a milestone. “Physical infrastructure has become absolutely necessary for the development of Nepali cricket and this agreement has become a stepping stone in our target of organizing One Day Internationals,” he said.
One of the investors Thapa said the company will bring forward its programs keeping in mind Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
Baidya said they are also looking for international investors and also expressed his willingness to invest in the Mulpani Cricket Ground, which is currently undergoing construction. Baidya said it would cost around 120 million rupees to construct the grounds and the government´s grant alone was not sufficient.
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