MY CAREER

"I'm proud to be associated with CA"

- Bhawana Ghimire

Four months back, the appointment of Bhawana Ghimire as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) created quite a stir in the media. While many openly appreciated the selection of a woman for such a high-level position, there was equal number of people who questioned if a woman with no background in cricket would be able to shoulder the responsibility assigned to her. But the 31-year-old, who has a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Bangor Business School in the United Kingdom and is armed with international work experiences, knew what she was stepping into.

Talking to Republica's Poonam Maharjan, Ghimire said that she's proud to be associated with CAN.

"I wanted to become a doctor as a child, because perhaps I didn't know we could contribute to the society by doing something else, too. Not many had imagined that sports, particularly cricket, could make Nepal proud in the world arena. I'm proud I lead CAN," she said.

Excerpts

Tell us about your responsibilities. How do the current achievements of the Nepali National Cricket Team make you feel?

Basically, I oversee all the activities of CAN. Communicating and coordinating with all the major stakeholders is my prime responsibility, too. I also have to make sure that the plans and policies set by the Board are implemented.

The Nepali Cricket Team has evolved brilliantly and is climbing the stairs of success. I feel proud and overwhelmed to see our players giving their best to take cricket to the next level and make our nation proud. I wish to see the Nepali National Cricket Team qualified to play the 2019 World Cup. I'm sure we'll improve our domestic structure in terms of tournaments and infrastructures, and would also like to see Nepal host ICC matches in the near future.

What are the challenges you face as the CEO of CAN? Were you prepared for these when you decided to join the Association?

One of the prominent challenges I faced initially was to ensure improvised coordination among all the Board members. I was kind of prepared for these challenges before I decided to join CAN. Now situations have greatly improved; everybody is united when it comes to the development agenda of cricket. Our challenge now is to surge ahead with limited resources.

How satisfied are you with your job?

I must say I'm quite happy with my job right now, because I got to work in my field of interest—sports, particularly cricket, and that has given me national as well as international exposure. I've also got many opportunities to extend my caliber and develop competency. Also, CAN has definitely achieved a lot lately in terms of our players' contracts and sponsors.

However, the working environment isn't quite similar to what I had expected. But again, that's what makes it more challenging and interesting.

What, according to you, are the qualities of a successful professional (regardless of the field)?

To become a successful professional, one needs the right qualifications and technical expertise along with the right attitude, ample patience and dedication. One should be able to adapt to different working environments, accept the challenges, never shy away from striving hard to give one's level best.

Please share with us your success mantra.

If you think positive, great things will happen.

Balancing career and family...

I try balancing career and family by trying not to bring work home.

In my free time...

I love travelling with my family.

To de-stress myself...

I spend quality time with my husband and son.

The best piece of career advice I've received...

"If you want to be successful, learn to accept criticism and be very less reactive to those who want to bring you down. Let your work speak." It was from my father.

Advice for young graduates who are all set to join the job market...

Dream big but don't hesitate to start small.