Cricket Association of Nepal Unveils Revised Central Contracts and Salaries for Cricketers

Kathmandu- The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has recently made an exciting announcement regarding the annual player contracts for both the men's and women's national cricket teams.

In a bid to further uplift the sport and recognize the exceptional talent within the country, CAN has introduced revised central contracts and increased salaries for the year 2024. Under the new contract structure, the men's players in Grade 'A' will now receive a monthly salary of Rs100,000, representing a significant increment of Rs40,000 compared to the previous central contract.

This salary boost serves as recognition for their remarkable performances and contributions to the national team. Among the notable Grade 'A' players are the national captain Rohit Paudel, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Aasif Sheikh, who have retained their well-deserved positions.

A total of 30 men cricketers have been awarded contracts for the year, and they have been categorized into five tiers based on their skills and experience. Standout talents such as Kushal Malla, Gulshan Jha, Bhim Sharki, Lalit Rajbanshi, Aarif Sheikh, and Abhinash Bohara have been placed in Grade 'B' and will now enjoy a monthly salary of Rs70,000.

Additionally, the Grade 'C' category includes Binod Bhandari, Arjun Saud, Sundeep Jora, and Pratish GC, who will be receiving Rs55,000 per month. The Grade 'D' players, including Pawan Sarraf, Sagar Dhakal, Anil Sah, Bibek Yadav, Aakash Chand, Basir Ahamad, and Surya Tamang, have been allocated a monthly salary of Rs35,000.

In a groundbreaking move, CAN has also introduced the Emerging category for the first time, featuring one player each from different provinces. Dipesh Kandel (Koshi), Rupesh Singh (Madhesh), Rijan Dhakal (Bagmati), Bipin Khatri (Gandaki), Dev Khanal (Lumbini), Arjun Gharti (Karnali), and Hemant Dhami (Sudurpaschim) have been included in this group and will be rewarded with a monthly stipend of Rs25,000.

Turning the spotlight to women's cricket, CAN has extended central contracts to 19 talented women players. While the cricket association has nearly doubled their salaries, it is worth noting that a significant gender pay gap still exists. Women's national team skipper Indu Barma, Rubina Chhetry, and Sita Rana Magar have been placed in Grade 'A' and will now earn a monthly salary of Rs50,000.

Furthermore, women cricketers in Grade 'B' will receive Rs35,000, while those in Grade 'C' and Grade 'D' will draw monthly salaries of Rs30,000 and Rs25,000, respectively. Kabita Kunwar has been recognized as the sole woman player in the Grade 'B' category. Grade 'C' includes Puja Mahato and Asmina Karmacharya, while Grade 'D' comprises Apsari Begam, Kabita Joshi, Sangita Rai, Kajol Shrestha, and Bindu Rawal.

To support and cultivate emerging talent in women's cricket, CAN has also introduced the women's emerging category. Sony Pakhrin, Khusi Dangol, Jyotsinka Marasini, Kanchan Shrestha, Rubi Poddar, Shristi Jaisi, Samjhana Khadka, and Sana Praveen have been selected for this category, each receiving a monthly stipend of Rs20,000.

CAN's latest initiative to revise central contracts and increase salaries for cricketers demonstrates their commitment to nurturing and rewarding talent within the sport. The association aims to build a strong foundation for cricket in Nepal and provide players with the necessary support to excel on the national and international stage.

With these revised contracts, cricketers can now focus more on their game and dedicate themselves fully to represent Nepal with pride and passion.

CAN's progressive approach is expected to inspire a new wave of enthusiasm and motivation for cricket enthusiasts across the nation, ultimately leading to the growth and success of the sport.