IFCR Launches in Nepal September 2009
Rotary Cricket fellowship is spreading like a virus (speedier than Swine flu ) amongst the cricket lovers of Rotary not only in India but to its neighbouring countries too. So when I received a routine mail from Rtn.Rajesh Thapa,from Kathmandu, Nepal showing his interest in cricket it did not take much time for me to spread the virus thru e-mails. After several follow-up mails and a push thru Rtn.Chitranjan, Chairman IFCR3291 Kolkata, the passion seeds of IFCR have been sown in Nepal.
The tremendous spade work done for this launch by Rtn.Chitranjan, Rtn.Jha (Executive Committee member of IFCR Nepal) Rtn.Rajesh Thapa (Chairman IFCR Nepal) and the entire Rotary fraternity of Nepal particularly the hosts Rotary Club of Rajadhani, Kathmandu is highly commendable and laudable.
It was my proud privilige to have been the invitee and guide of IFCR Nepal from 18th to 20th September 2009 on the occasion of launch of IFCR chapter of their country which was undertaken with gaiety, pomp, fellowship and of course entertaining cricket at the picturesque Tribhuvan University grounds overlooking the wonderfully scenic Himalayan hills (thanks to Mr.Binaya Raj Pandey, President, Cricket Association of Nepal, who is an active Rotarian himself). The enthusiasm this Rotary Fellowship Cricket generated in Nepal was unbelievable.It began with a typical traditional Nepali welcome and hospitality when we landed there and thereafter it was an euphoric three days of fellowship and cricket in Kathmandu, the abode of Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal.
For statistical interest IFCR 3291 India beat IFCR 3292 Nepal convincingly in the first 20/20 game played on 19th Sept 09. Rtn.Chitranjan stole the show with his bat and was adjudged Player of the Match. In the second game I was invited to play for IFCR 3292 Nepal in the 30/30 game on the second day ( 20th Sept) and contributed a bit by boosting their morale,enthusiasm and energy by claiming five stumpings and restricting IFCR 3291 India to a reasonable score. Rtn .Chitranjan batted well again along with Rtn. Vivek. The game was lost in less margin than the first and the fighting spirit of IFCR Nepal came to surface and local lad Rtn.Kapil, who did well both with bat and ball had the consolation of being declared Player of the match.
Rtn.Chitranjan was also declared the Man of the Series.The IFCR 3291 Kollkatta team from India was ably managed by it's ever enthusiastic Team Manager and an ardent cricket lover plus a team man to the core, Rtn.Subir Poddar.
We had two nights of highly entertaining fellowships on 18th and 19th September 2009 hosted by the local Rotarians, cricket lovers and friends of India in Kathmandu (including Lion Mahesh Bhimsaria, the ever energetic B.I.L of Rtn. Chitranjan) culminating in a Rotary meeting chaired by District Governor of RI 3292, Nepal on 20th September 2009 where recognitions and commendations of the two day meet were presented followed by a fellowship dinner.
The excitement and buzz this launch of IFCR created in Nepal was unbelievable.It had extensive coverage in local national Newspaper sports columns (with action pictures) and also coverage on all the days on local TV channels. Attached herewith are some of the clippings.
THE FOLLOWING OFFICE BEARERS WILL HOLD OFFICE OF IFCR NEPAL IN ITS MAIDEN TERM.
1. Rtn. Rajesh Thapa Chairman Rotary Club of Mt. Everest, Lalitpur
2. Rtn. Ashok Nath Pyakhurel Secretary Rotary Club of Thamel
3. Rtn. Chandra K Golchha Treasurer Rotary Club of Kathmandu Mid Town
4. Rtn. M.K. Jha Co-ordinator Kathmandu Rotary Club of Rajdhani
5. Rtn. Rajendra Ram Shrestha Co-ordinator Lalitpur, Bha Rotary Club of Lalitpur
6. Rtn. Lalit Agrawal Co-ordinator Eastern Sector (Zone11) Rotary Club of Dharan Ghopa
7. Rtn. G. Narayan B. Chettri Co-ordinator Central South (Zones 9/10) Rotary Club of Narayani Mid Town
8. Rtn. Rajendra Lamsal Co-ordinator Western Sector (Zone12) Rotary Club of Butwal
9. Rtn. Kiran Lal Shrestha Co-ordinator Central North (Zone 13) Rotary Club of Pokhara