Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has instructed the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) not to halt preparation for the second season of Nepal Premier League (NPL) – a franchise-based T20 league.
Speaking at an event in Lalitpur on Thursday, Oli urged all stakeholders to refrain from politicizing the sports sector. His remarks have come amid an ongoing dispute between the National Sports Council (NSC) and the CAN over the NPL.
After questions were raised about the financial transactions of NPL, Minister for Youth and Sports Tejulal Chaudhary formed a task force led under NSC member Ranjana Pradhan. The task force, a few days ago, directed CAN to suspend all NPL-related activities until the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) completes its investigation.
Objecting to the task force’s direction, Oli has instructed CAN to proceed with preparations for the tournament.
“NPL is a matter of national pride. The ministry, NSC and CAN must work together to take it forward. Begin the preparations,” Oli said.
He made these comments while inaugurating the National High Performance Center and Sports Science Lab built by the NSC at the International Sports Complex in Satdobato, Lalitpur, on Thursday.
Oli also said that while political leaders may represent the government, they should keep politics out of sports. He said people in the sports sector should focus on its development rather than using it as a political platform.
