Kathmandu. The Ministry of Youth and Sports is preparing to form a ‘high-level’ committee to investigate financial irregularities in the first edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). The Minister of Youth and Sports, Tejulal Chaudhary, stated that a new committee is being prepared due to the lack of cooperation from the task force formed to investigate the NPL, which was not supported by the Nepal Cricket Association (CAN).

They have stated that a detailed investigation of the NPL (Non-Performing Loan) is necessary as the documents required for the investigation have not been provided by CAN (Computer Association of Nepal).’It must be done according to NPL regulations. There will be a second version of the NPL, and preparations for it are also underway. However, the investigation of the first version will happen simultaneously,’ Minister Chaudhary said on Friday, ‘We had formed an investigation team after receiving correspondence from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority. But CAN did not provide the necessary documents for the investigation. Therefore, a thorough investigation regarding the first version is essential. We are discussing whether to form a high-level investigation committee within the ministry or to form a committee chaired by a former judge. We will provide information in a day or two.’

He stated that all sports competitions must be conducted according to the country’s laws and regulations.He also alleged that those who say there should be no investigation are the ones who are ‘against the NPL,’ while asserting that he has never sought to stop the NPL.There was a discussion in the central working committee of CAN on Thursday regarding the NPL, where the governing council of the NPL presented the income and expenses of the first edition.

Some central members had requested additional details of the accounts and sought time for review, hence a decision was made to approve the income and expenditure accounts by the next central working committee.

Some central members expressed opposition regarding the accounts of the NPL in the meeting. They protested, stating that they had not been able to study all the accounts.The first edition of the NPL reported an income of 276,964,818 rupees.Out of that, 20 million was spent, 30 million was distributed among various eight franchise teams, 7 million was given to provincial associations, and a profit of 24.6 million was shown for the CAN.

Two complaints were filed at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority regarding irregularities in the first edition of the NPL held from December 1 to January 6. A complaint had already been filed with the authority before the league started, citing irregularities in the league. The first complaint was filed on December 7, alleging that contracts were made contrary to law, including issues related to the tender process.

Just two months after the league concluded, another complaint was filed. Following the second complaint, the Commission wrote to the Ministry of Youth and Sports on the 12th of Falgun. The Commission had initially formed an inquiry committee under the chairmanship of Anjan Dhimal, a board member of the National Sports Council, regarding the complaint. On the 11th of Jestha, the minister again formed another inquiry task force under the chairmanship of Ranjana Pradhan, a board member of the National Sports Council, regarding the Nepal Premier League Cricket competition. The latest task force had sent a letter to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) asking for details by posing 10 different questions regarding the Nepal Premier League.

CAN had also sent a response to the inquiry of the task force on June 16. However, the task force expressed dissatisfaction, stating that CAN was not unable to provide the required documents, information, and facts that had been requested, and that the answers provided seemed superficial and were motivated by the purpose of evasion. Last month, the investigative task force wrote another letter addressing CAN’s president Chaturbahadur Chand. In that letter, they reiterated that the answers previously given by CAN were superficial and posed five additional questions.

The investigation task force has asked Kyan the following five questions:
1. Which law grants you the authority to carry out the broadcasting activities related to NPL by conducting services and procurement in violation of the Public Procurement Act 2063 and the Public Procurement Regulations 2064 established by the Nepal Cricket Association and the National Sports Council? Please clarify.

2. Although the decision to organize the NPL competition by that federation has been made a long time ago, why has a vague public notice been published in the statement issued by that federation without specifying a clear time, creating a situation where a fair competition cannot take place? Please clarify.

3. During the organization of the NPL competition organized by that association, can Mr. Manish Sudarshan Pandey, who is an Indian citizen, serve as a consultant in a manner contrary to section 44 (2) of the National Sports Development Act 2077? Please clarify.

4. It should be clearly explained why a narrow criterion of this kind can be established to maintain a syndicate, making it impossible for domestic broadcasting companies to participate in the NPL competition organized by that association.

5. Along with this letter, the complaint registered under the Anti-Corruption Commission with registration numbers 8-03022 dated 7th of Mangsir 2081 and 8-049876 dated 12th of Falgun 2081 has been sent as well. The responsibility to clarify the subject matter mentioned in the said complaint does not solely rest with the Nepal Cricket Association, does it? Therefore, we inform you to clarify the issues raised regarding the NPL competition mentioned in both complaints to assist the investigation team in reaching a conclusion. Otherwise, you are informed that legal actions will be taken accordingly.