Shakti Gauchan Announces Candidacy for President of Rupandehi Cricket Association
News Summary
Reviewed and prepared.
- Former cricketer Shakti Gauchan has declared his candidacy for president at the fifth convention of the Rupandehi Cricket Association.
- Incumbent president Haribahadur Thapa, who had earlier agreed to support Gauchan, reversed his decision and filed his own candidacy, prompting Gauchan to officially contest the post.
- If elected, Gauchan pledges to develop cricket grounds in all six municipalities of Rupandehi within four years, aiming to establish the district as a sports hub.
May 6 (Jestha 23), Butwal – Former cricketer Shakti Gauchan has announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Rupandehi Cricket Association, ahead of the body’s fifth general convention.
Gauchan shared this at a press conference held on Saturday in Bhairahawa, organized by his home club, Lumbini Khukuri Club.
The association’s convention is scheduled for May 8 (Jestha 25) in Bhairahawa. Though the current president, Haribahadur Thapa, had agreed during the fourth convention to support Gauchan’s leadership for the fifth, he has since withdrawn his consent and announced his own candidacy. This development led Gauchan to register his formal candidacy as well.
The former national team spinner expressed his desire to lead the association with a vision to host international-level competitions in Rupandehi, a fertile ground for cricket, and to promote the sport from the grassroots level, elevating the district’s cricket stature.
He emphasized the need for significant improvements in cricket infrastructure at the junior level and pledged to focus efforts in this area. Gauchan also committed to constructing cricket grounds in all six municipalities of Rupandehi within four years, aiming to transform the district into a cricket hub.
Gauchan claimed to have the support of more than half of the cricket clubs in the district and 75 percent backing from players, expressing confidence in his victory in the upcoming election.
He started his cricket journey in 2001, participating in a tournament in Bangladesh with the under-17 team, and retired professionally from cricket in 2018.
After retiring, he established the Star Cricket Academy in Bhairahawa, where he currently trains players. He also serves as a coach at Tilottama Extratech Oval and New Horizon Cricket Club among others.
Gauchan has previously served as coach of the Nepalese team at the Under-19 Asia Cup.
At the press conference, Sanjivraj Joshi, candidate for vice-president on Gauchan’s panel, highlighted the previous agreement endorsing Gauchan’s leadership and urged adherence to that commitment.
Joshi added that Gauchan’s 25 years of contribution to cricket and efforts to enhance Nepal’s international reputation warrant supporting his leadership this time.
Gauchan revealed plans to connect Rupandehi’s cricket clubs with those in India’s Uttar Pradesh, introducing a new dimension of sports tourism in the region.
Meanwhile, the other presidential candidate, incumbent Haribahadur Thapa, officially launched his reelection bid on Friday.