Expert Education and Visa Services on Sunday appointed national cricket captain Paras Khadka as its brand ambassador for three years.

Expert Education’s chief executive Sanjiv Sharma and Khadka exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sunday. The terms and condition of the contract however was not disclosed. Expert also organised an interaction session ‘Meet and Greet Paras’ with the cricket fans.  

Expert Education, who has been facilitating for higher education of Nepali students in Australia, also provided cash incentives of Rs 150,000 for Star Cricket Academy of Bhairahawa which is being operated by veteran cricketer Shakti Gauchan. “Nepal recently got the One Day International (ODI) status and even won a match in the first ever ODI series (against the Netherlands). It is essential that private sector step up along with government to preserve this historic achievement. So we decided to join hands with Paras to chip in for the development of the game,” said Sharma.

Sharma added that it was not just partnership with Khadka but a gesture to recognise the team’s recent achievement.

Khadka lauded the role of Expert Education for development of grassroot cricket as it has been organising country-wide school and college cricket league for the last three years. “We will try to create environment for promotion of the game under this partnership,” said Khadka. “Nepali cricket has come this long on its own and now it is time for investment. Only a few years back no one would believe that Nepal would play ODI. But now it is time for everyone to realise our next dream—play Test cricket in the next 9/10 years,” added Khadka.

During the interaction session with fans, the Nepal skipper expressed his desire to get into cricket administration the end of his playing career. “After finishing my playing career I may go to cricket administration. But it has its own process of getting to that point.” Khadka also said it was not just his interest to join the cricket administration but also a requirement given the current situation of Nepali cricket. Nepali cricket is under ICC suspension for the last two years.

Gauchan thanked Expert Education for its effort in promotion of Nepali cricket from grassroot level. “I am running the academy for the last nine years. I made approaches with numerous organisations and companies for financial support but Expert Education is the first to listen to us and I really appreciate the gesture,” said Gauchan.