KATHMANDU, Jan 31: The National Sports Council (NSC) on Tuesday congratulated footballers Kiran Chemjong and Bimal Gharti Magar who were signed by two I-League clubs, and cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane who will be a part of Indian Premier League (IPL) this season.
Organizing a press meet in the capital, member secretary of the NSC Keshav Kumar Bista said that not only the players will start happy professional careers, but also the whole Nepali sports sector will be benefitted after they get associated with foreign clubs.
Nepal’s national football team goalkeeper Chemjong joined I-League’s leader Minerva Punjab, while Magar was signed by Mohun Bagan, who is in the fourth place in the league. Chemjong played his debut against NEROCA keeping a clean sheet in the match on Jan 27, while he was declared the man-of-the-match in a 2-2 draw against East Bengal on Tuesday. He was also branded ‘The Wall of Nepal’ by the club for his outstanding performance.
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“’The Wall of Nepal’ Kiran Limbu deservingly picks up the Man of the match award for his jaw dropping saves under the woodwork this afternoon,” tweeted the club.
Likewise, Nepal’s national cricket team’s 19-year-old leg spinner Lamichhane was bought by IPL outfit Delhi Daredevils at a base price of Rs 2 million on Sunday.
“It is a matter of pride for the whole sports fraternity that the products of Nepali sports are becoming active in the world sports,’’ said Bista. “Despite insufficient physical infrastructure, lack of resources and sports materials, government hesitance toward investment in sports, and lack of political commitment, we must be satisfied with the results that the Nepali sports has been able to achieve.”
“I would like to thank Kiran, Bimal, and Sandeep among other players who are playing professional tournaments in different countries and making Nepal proud,” he added.
