Three Nepal players test positive for COVID-19, closed camp commences in Kathmandu

The closed camp of the Nepal men’s squad has commenced at TU International Cricket Ground, Kathmandu following all the national health protocols issued by the government of Nepal. 

The Cricket Association of Nepal had tested cricketers for COVID-19 two days earlier, where Captain Gyanendra Malla along with Vice-Captain Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Kumar Paudel and one staff member returned a positive result.

‘No symptoms have been experienced so far and I am absolutely fit. However, to control further transmission and for my self-recovery, I have self quarantined until the next few days. I request every one to take this worldwide pandemic seriously and follow the directions of health administrations’, Malla said. The association had announced earlier that only those returning negative from the tests would be included in the camp. 

Among 22 of the cricketers who were called for the PCR tests, only 16 of them attended while the other six were absent for personal reasons, the absentees being Sandeep Lamichhane, Subash Khakurel, Basanta Regmi, Karan KC, Sharad Veshawkar, and Kushal Malla.

To replace those who tested positive, CAN has called five more cricketers for the closed camp including Anil Kumar Sah, Lokesh Bam, Bikram Sob, Rit Gautam, and Kushal Bhurtel.

The association also apologised to the media for not allowing entrance in the closed camp venue considering the national health protocols. 

Interviews for key roles completed

CAN have announced that the interviews of the applicants applying for the posts of Head Coach, General Manager, Cricket Manager and Chief Financial Officer have been completed.

Out of 72 applicants applying for the role of the head coach of Nepal, 25 were short-listed during the first phase while 12 applicants were interviewed later in mid-November. 

Similarly, there were 45 applicants applying for the post of General Manager in which 20 applicants were shortlisted. As stated by the General Manager Selection Committee of the CAN, seven applicants were then interviewed on the 22nd of November.

For the post of CFO, 37 applications were received. After shortlisting 15 applicants in the first phase, interviews of 3 applicants were taken on Thursday.

According to CAN, the new head coach, general manager, cricket manager, and chief financial officer will officially be announced within the next few weeks.

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