The Youth Cricket Academy (YCA) is one of Nepal’s most established and respected cricket academies, dedicated to grooming young cricketers from the grassroots to elite levels. With a reputation for discipline, structure, and quality coaching, YCA has become a crucial talent pipeline for Nepal’s national and provincial cricket systems.

Overview

• Full Name: Youth Cricket Academy

• Abbreviation: YCA

• Founded: Early 2000s

• Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

• Focus Areas: Cricket coaching, talent development, school outreach, youth competitions

• Founder/Director: Raju Khadka (Former Nepal National Team Captain)

• Affiliation: Works in coordination with Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and various local schools

Mission and Vision

 Mission:

To provide structured, ethical, and performance-driven coaching to young cricketers, enabling them to become competitive at the national and international levels.

 Vision:

To transform YCA into a national cricket excellence hub by fostering technical skill, game intelligence, fitness, and sportsmanship in every student.

Training Programs

YCA offers tiered coaching programs catering to:

Beginner Level

• Introduction to batting, bowling, fielding

• Focus on fundamentals and teamwork

• Designed for ages 6–12

 Intermediate Level

• Net practice with soft and leather balls

• Introduction to fitness and match tactics

• Match simulations and inter-batch competitions

 Advanced/Elite Level

• Video analysis and personalized coaching

• Match exposure at local, provincial, and national levels

• Tournaments in partnership with schools and cricket clubs

Facilities

• Dedicated practice nets at Baluwatar and Mulpani (training venues)

• Turf and matting wickets

• Bowling machines and side-arm drills

• Indoor and outdoor practice sessions (seasonal)

Coaches and Staff

• Led by Raju Khadka, one of Nepal’s cricketing pioneers

• Supported by Level 1 and Level 2 certified coaches

• Visiting specialists in wicketkeeping, spin bowling, and sports psychology

Achievements and Alumni

YCA has produced several prominent players:

• Kushal Malla – Nepal national team batting all-rounder

• Pawan Sarraf – Former U-19 star and national team player

• Aarif Sheikh – Consistent national team performer

• Dozens of players in U-16, U-19, and provincial teams

The academy is known for consistently feeding talent into both the Nepal U-19 setup and domestic league teams.

Community Outreach

YCA regularly organizes:

• Inter-school tournaments

• Scholarship programs for underprivileged but talented cricketers

• Girls’ cricket training sessions to promote gender inclusion

• Holiday cricket camps and cricket carnivals

Reputation and Legacy

YCA is widely seen as:

• A model cricket academy in Nepal for discipline and player development

• An institution of trust among parents, schools, and local cricket boards

• A pioneer in modern youth cricket coaching in Nepal

Trivia

• YCA was founded by Raju Khadka, the first Nepali cricketer to score an international century.

• The academy has trained over 1,000 players, many of whom now play in Nepal’s top domestic leagues.

• It’s one of the first cricket academies in Nepal to offer structured weekend and after-school programs for youth.