NOC President Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan bade farewell to the teams and also wished them success at the Games.[break]
Nepal will compete in six sports -- volleyball, football, basketball, handball, kabaddi and equestrian -- in the first edition of the regional beach games to be held from October 8-14. Altogether 11 sports have been included in the Games.
All eight countries of the region have confirmed their participation in the event.
Speaking during the farewell ceremony, NOC President Pradhan informed that the respective sports associations would bear the expenses of their teams´ visit to Sri Lanka. "The host will provide only food and accommodation," Pradhan said.
"We had requested the government and the National Sports Council member secretary for their participation in the Games, but they have not yet given conformation," said Pradhan.
According to NOC General Secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Nepal will have a 56-member delegation at the Games with Lama Tendi Sherpa, NOC co-general secretary, as the chef-de-mission. The delegation has 36 players while the remaining are officials. Kabaddi has the highest 12 players and six officials.
Shrestha also informed that four Nepal Army athletes competing in equestrian (horse riding) had left for Sri Lanka on Saturday to practice for the event. All the participating teams will reach Sri Lanka by October 7, stated Shrestha.
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