Shakti Gauchan, known for his gentle demeanour and infectious smile, dedicated 19 years to serving Nepal’s national cricket team. Gauchan retired from international cricket five years ago but his life still revolves around it.
His career has been a successful one. Along with Paras Khadka, Gauchan became a household name as he help take Nepal from the depths of Division 5 to gaining ODI status.
He had many highs during his career. Playing in the 2014 T20 World Cup was his greatest moment but what stands out for him is how the team received ODI status for the first time in 2018. But one dream eluded him as Nepal never got close to becoming a test nation.
“It is what it is,” says Gauchan.
The test dream
But Shakti Gauchan has not given up on his dream. Gauchan, despite not playing a test, wants to pave the way for the coming generation as he hopes to see the country become a test nation in his lifetime.
Every time he was not with the national team, he would be at the New Horizon School in Butwal training students. He worked there for 20 years.
When being a cricketer was not as glorious as it is now, Gauchan was thankful to the school for employing him as a coach. The money he got from coaching kept his passion going and stopped him from giving up on cricket and leaving the country.
“I would have surely left,” says Gauchan as cricketing events were sporadic at the time.
Academy to produce cricket stars
Shakti Gauchan wanted to establish a cricket academy when he was playing. He knew it was important as that would help the country produce good players. Recognising the importance of starting early, Gauchan, in 2019, founded the Star Cricket Academy on his personal property in Omsatiya rural municipality, Rupandehi. There, he trains kids as young as 10 as he hopes to produce cricketers for the national team for years to come.
The academy features a dedicated training facility with nets, while the ground floor includes a hostel to accommodate players.
The Star Cricket Academy provides training to a group of 50 schoolchildren aged 10 and above. Among them, 25 students receive free training at an academy. With his vast experience, Gauchan possesses the ability to identify potential talents among these aspiring young players.
Asman Tharu, a 17-year-old from an economically disadvantaged background, is benefiting from free training at Star Cricket Academy.
“Sir (Gauchan) does not take fees from me and even provides bat,” says Tharu.
Having already participated in district-level competitions for his age category, Tharu is now dreaming to represent the national team in the future.
Like Tharu, Rahul Bhandari has also been receiving training at Star Cricket Academy for the last four years.
Bhandari says he has been inspired by players like Kushal Malla and Susan Bhari, who are products of Gauchan, as he wants to follow their steps and get into the national team.
The construction of an indoor hall has provided a convenient training space for players, ensuring uninterrupted practice even during rainy seasons and winter. Malla’s remarkable progress is attributed to the availability of this facility, and Gauchan takes immense pride and happiness in witnessing his development.
Spinner Sushan Bhari has emerged as a prominent player in domestic cricket, showcasing his talent and skills. Shakti Gauchan’s students have consistently displayed impressive performances, asserting their dominance in the age group team of Lumbini province. With their continuous progress, they are gradually carving out a significant place in the national team as well.
Binod Kunwar and his wife Sudikshya Gautam, successful entrepreneurs running a technology company in Sydney, Australia, and Nepal, have shown their unwavering support to Gauchan.
The two have taken a remarkable step by laying the foundation stone of Astrotech Oval, a cricket stadium in Tilottama. As part of their ambitious plan, they have entrusted Gauchan with the crucial responsibility of overseeing an academy that will accommodate 100 players with residential facilities.
“This academy can significantly help me to attain my dream,” says Gauchan.
Gauchan expresses that the day when Nepal achieves test status in cricket will hold a significance even greater than his participation in the World Cup.
This story was translated from the original Nepali version and edited for clarity and length.
