Latest news with #Gurkhas
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Nepal takes game to new heights with Twenty20 league
Glamorgan all-rounder Dan Douthwaite was not alone among the foreign players in being unsure what to expect when he headed to the Himalayas to take part in the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL) late last year. Taking up a playing contract in the mountainous nation of 30 million was always going to be a novel challenge for the Englishman, not least because the Twenty20 league was staged at a ground some 1,350 metres above sea level. "I thought I was going to be constantly out of breath or struggling, but it wasn't actually as bad as I thought it was going to be," the 28-year-old recalled of his time playing for the Kathmandu Gurkhas. "I think I noticed it more so with sixes. When they got the ball it absolutely went miles. A lot of balls ... kept going and going and going. "When you think you've hit one straight up and it's a 70-metre six." Apart from the extra flight of the ball at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground near Kathmandu, Douthwaite's other big takeaway from the experience was the enthusiasm of the Nepali fans. "Cricket in Nepal is probably like the Premier League in England ... there's a kind of almost Indian cricket feel about the way people appreciate and love the game," he said. This was the third attempt by Nepal, which became an ICC associate member in 1996 and has qualified for the T20 World Cup twice, to follow in the path of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by launching its own Twenty20 league. The NPL hopes the passion of the fans, combined with the country's unique geography and society, will carve out a niche in a landscape dominated by the likes of the IPL and Australia's Big Bash League. "We're rich in terms of nature," said Sandesh Katwal, the chief executive of the Gurkhas, one of eight NPL franchises. "It's a beautiful country and we're a friendly, welcoming people. The weather, the hospitality suits international players." Former England batting all-rounder and IPL veteran Ravi Bopara, who turned out for Chitwan Rhinos, said it was a great experience, even if he turned down the offer of a helicopter trip to Everest Base Camp. A modest budget meant the NPL could not attract the really big names in the sport. All eight NPL franchises fetched a combined price of under 169 million Nepali rupees ($1.23 million) at an auction held last September. Prize money for the champions, Janakpur Bolts, was around $81,000. By contrast, India's Rishabh Pant, the highest-paid player in the IPL, commanded over $3 million in the league's player auction for the 2025 edition. A rushed first season also made it difficult to recruit international players, Katwal said. "Everything happened within a one to two-month period ... most international players were already occupied. Many didn't know about this tournament," he added. "Since Christmas was near, many overseas players were in a hurry to return. From the second season I think we can plan to start a bit earlier, October or November." Nevertheless, the NPL proved to be an effective proving ground for Nepal's domestic talent, Bopara said. "There was a group of players who were full of potential but lacked experience," he added. Katwal said he hoped the NPL would provide that valuable competitive experience, as the IPL has done for young Indian talents. "It's a dream come true for Nepali players ... sharing practice sessions with the foreign players, they definitely learned a lot. We also had coaches from India, Sri Lanka, England and elsewhere," he said. "Since the IPL has started, you can see young players getting opportunities and it has paid off. The NPL is also an opportunity for Nepali players, a starting point."
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Nepal takes game to new heights with T20 league
May 29 (Reuters) - Glamorgan all-rounder Dan Douthwaite was not alone among the foreign players in being unsure what to expect when he headed to the Himalayas to take part in the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL) late last year. Taking up a playing contract in the mountainous nation of 30 million was always going to be a novel challenge for the Englishman, not least because the Twenty20 league was staged at a ground some 1,350 metres above sea level. "I thought I was going to be constantly out of breath or struggling, but it wasn't actually as bad as I thought it was going to be," the 28-year-old recalled of his time playing for the Kathmandu Gurkhas. "I think I noticed it more so with sixes. When they got the ball it absolutely went miles. A lot of balls ... kept going and going and going. "When you think you've hit one straight up and it's a 70-metre six." Apart from the extra flight of the ball at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground near Kathmandu, Douthwaite's other big takeaway from the experience was the enthusiasm of the Nepali fans. "Cricket in Nepal is probably like the Premier League in England ... there's a kind of almost Indian cricket feel about the way people appreciate and love the game," he told Reuters. This was the third attempt by Nepal, which became an ICC associate member in 1996 and has qualified for the T20 World Cup twice, to follow in the path of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by launching its own Twenty20 league. The NPL hopes the passion of the fans, combined with the country's unique geography and society, will carve out a niche in a landscape dominated by the likes of the IPL and Australia's Big Bash League. "We're rich in terms of nature," said Sandesh Katwal, the chief executive of the Gurkhas, one of eight NPL franchises. "It's a beautiful country and we're a friendly, welcoming people. The weather, the hospitality suits international players." Former England batting all-rounder and IPL veteran Ravi Bopara, who turned out for Chitwan Rhinos, said it was a great experience, even if he turned down the offer of a helicopter trip to Everest Base Camp. A modest budget meant the NPL could not attract the really big names in the sport. All eight NPL franchises fetched a combined price of under 169 million Nepali rupees ($1.23 million) at an auction held last September. Prize money for the champions, Janakpur Bolts, was around $81,000. By contrast, India's Rishabh Pant, the highest-paid player in the IPL, commanded over $3 million in the league's player auction for the 2025 edition. A rushed first season also made it difficult to recruit international players, Katwal said. "Everything happened within a one to two-month period ... most international players were already occupied. Many didn't know about this tournament," he added. "Since Christmas was near, many overseas players were in a hurry to return. From the second season I think we can plan to start a bit earlier, October or November." Nevertheless, the NPL proved to be an effective proving ground for Nepal's domestic talent, Bopara said. "There was a group of players who were full of potential but lacked experience," he added. Katwal said he hoped the NPL would provide that valuable competitive experience, as the IPL has done for young Indian talents. "It's a dream come true for Nepali players ... sharing practice sessions with the foreign players, they definitely learned a lot. We also had coaches from India, Sri Lanka, England and elsewhere," he said. "Since the IPL has started, you can see young players getting opportunities and it has paid off. The NPL is also an opportunity for Nepali players, a starting point."
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Straits Times
Coast Guard, Gurkhas and Special Ops with dogs nab 4 Indonesians who entered S'pore illegally on small boat
Coast Guard, Gurkhas and Special Ops with dogs nab 4 Indonesians who entered S'pore illegally on small boat Four Indonesian men were arrested by the police for unlawful entry into Singapore and possession of duty-unpaid cigarettes in a joint operation with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The Police Coast Guard detected four entering Singapore unlawfully from the sea through a small craft on May 17 at 1.27am. They landed outside the fence line of Pulau Tekong. Following the detection, officers from the Coast Guard, the Gurkha Contingent, the Special Operations Command and K-9 Unit responded and arrested the unarmed men who disembarked from the craft. The men were detained outside the protected areas of Pulau Tekong. They were allegedly found without any travel documents and in possession of uncustomed goods. A total of 2,700 packets of assorted duty-unpaid cigarettes and one fiber-glass craft, which was fitted with one outboard motor, were seized in the operation. Commander of the Police Coast Guard, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Ang Eng Seng said: "Anyone who plays a part in such unlawful entry or departure from Singapore, such as ferrying the illegal immigrants to or from the place of arrival or departure, will face the full brunt of the law." The four men will be charged in court on May 19 for the offence of unlawful entry, which carries an imprisonment term of up to six months and not less than three strokes of the cane. Police Coast Guard and Singapore Customs are handling the investigations. Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
First royal visit to peninsula to mark Liberation Day
Residents in Little Sark have been enjoying their first royal visit as part of Liberation Day celebrations. The Princess Royal arrived on the peninsula on 10 May to mark 80 years since the Channel Islands were liberated from Nazi occupation during World War Two. During her visit she unveiled a Liberation Day plaque at The Avenue on Sark and listened to children from the island sing a song in Sercquaise. The Seigneur of Sark, Christopher Beaumont, said: "She has a very full programme. I'm sure she will be blown away by the beauty of the island." The princess crossed the La Coupée to Little Sark at about 11:00 BST, becoming the first Royal to visit the island. La Coupée is a distinctive narrow strip of land, connecting Little Sark with the main island. Princess Anne then walked down The Avenue while flags were raised at Sark Art Gallery and spoke to islanders who had been liberated from German occupation. There was an opportunity to meet Chelsea Pensioners and Gurkhas at The Avenue and a street party after the unveiling of the plaque with performances, events and games. The princess toured the Cider Barn, one of the oldest buildings on the island, and was driven to lunch by horse and carriage. Philip Perrée was the carriage driver and said it was a "great honour" to see the princess arriving. His grandfather drove the horse and carriage for the late Queen Elizabeth II "many years ago", and he described it as "quite an honour" to now do the same for the Princess Royal. In the afternoon the princess planted a tree to mark Sark's liberation. Princess Anne was then presented with a bunch of flowers from five-year-old Paisley, who said she "loved meeting a real princess". During her visit Princess Anne will also receive a briefing on two commando raids, Operations Hardtack and Basalt, while a Royal Navy vessel, HMS Medusa, keeps watch off Sark's coast. There was an opportunity to meet Chelsea Pensioners and Gurkhas at The Avenue and a street party after the unveiling of the plaque with performances, events and games. The princess is due to leave Sark at 14:00. Islanders are also encouraged to dress up and take part in a cavalcade to St Peter's Church and the Millennium Field on Sunday. In the afternoon, a theatre sketch called The Dame of Sark and a screening of Appointment with Venus, a film set in the Occupation of Sark, will follow the school's Liberation display. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Sark's Liberation Day celebration events announced Island without cars looking for carriage drivers Chief Pleas of Sark
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
First royal visit to peninsula to mark Liberation Day
Residents in Little Sark have been enjoying their first royal visit as part of Liberation Day celebrations. The Princess Royal arrived on the peninsula on 10 May to mark 80 years since the Channel Islands were liberated from Nazi occupation during World War Two. During her visit she unveiled a Liberation Day plaque at The Avenue on Sark and listened to children from the island sing a song in Sercquaise. The Seigneur of Sark, Christopher Beaumont, said: "She has a very full programme. I'm sure she will be blown away by the beauty of the island." The princess crossed the La Coupée to Little Sark at about 11:00 BST, becoming the first Royal to visit the island. La Coupée is a distinctive narrow strip of land, connecting Little Sark with the main island. Princess Anne then walked down The Avenue while flags were raised at Sark Art Gallery and spoke to islanders who had been liberated from German occupation. There was an opportunity to meet Chelsea Pensioners and Gurkhas at The Avenue and a street party after the unveiling of the plaque with performances, events and games. The princess toured the Cider Barn, one of the oldest buildings on the island, and was driven to lunch by horse and carriage. Philip Perrée was the carriage driver and said it was a "great honour" to see the princess arriving. His grandfather drove the horse and carriage for the late Queen Elizabeth II "many years ago", and he described it as "quite an honour" to now do the same for the Princess Royal. In the afternoon the princess planted a tree to mark Sark's liberation. Princess Anne was then presented with a bunch of flowers from five-year-old Paisley, who said she "loved meeting a real princess". During her visit Princess Anne will also receive a briefing on two commando raids, Operations Hardtack and Basalt, while a Royal Navy vessel, HMS Medusa, keeps watch off Sark's coast. There was an opportunity to meet Chelsea Pensioners and Gurkhas at The Avenue and a street party after the unveiling of the plaque with performances, events and games. The princess is due to leave Sark at 14:00. Islanders are also encouraged to dress up and take part in a cavalcade to St Peter's Church and the Millennium Field on Sunday. In the afternoon, a theatre sketch called The Dame of Sark and a screening of Appointment with Venus, a film set in the Occupation of Sark, will follow the school's Liberation display. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Sark's Liberation Day celebration events announced Island without cars looking for carriage drivers Chief Pleas of Sark
