Bhupendra GC, Kathmandu
Anuj Chanara, a fast bowler from Karnali Province, has received a new pair of cricket shoes. Earlier this week, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) had called a 32-member squad for a closed training camp ahead of the Oman tour.
This was the first time Anuj had been selected for the national team’s closed training. On Sunday, HamroKhelkud.com published a story about his journey titled “From Borrowed Shoes to the National Team.”
The article highlighted how the 16-year-old from Jajarkot had played in the Prime Minister Cup by borrowing shoes from a friend due to his weak financial condition. When he arrived for the training camp, his friend needed the shoes back for his own matches, so Anuj showed up wearing a basic pair he had bought a year ago.
After reading the story, a group of passionate supporters of Nepali cricket came together and gifted him a new pair of shoes worth NPR 18,000 on Tuesday. The group included youth campaigners and fans such as Tara Pathak, Binod G.C., Govinda Bhushal, Pratik Upadhyay, Jay Lamichhane, and Krishna Khanal. They handed over the shoes to Anuj at the TU Cricket Ground. Overjoyed and excited, Anuj expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone.
The shoes were handed to him through CAN’s media coordinator, Bhanu Sigdel. Earlier, Sauraha Sands had contributed NPR 15,000 on Monday to help him buy the shoes.
Additionally, Ramesh Bahadur Khadka, a resident of Ward No. 8 of Baglung Municipality and a lawyer, contributed NPR 7,000, while Kamal Bishwakarma, head of Kamal Sunchandi Shop in Pokhara, Beni, and Myagdi, also provided NPR 5,000 in support.
