Two elections within two days

KATHMANDU, May 22: After a 30-year-long ad-hoc status, two different groups elected two different executive bodies of Nepal Gymnastic Association (NGA) within two days, thanks to the unsporting rivalry between Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) and National Sports Council (NSC).



NGA led by NOC President Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan held a general assembly on Saturday and reelected Pradhan, claiming his committee is internationally recognized. NGA led by Kishor Bahadur Singh had concluded another general assembly on Friday and elected a 17-member executive committee stating they have national recognition. [break]



Pradhan group conducted their general assembly in the presence of Asian Gymnastic Union´s (AGU) representative Nainda Malik. The general assembly elected Rajesh Khadka, Geeta Chhetri Rana and Sushil Prakash Pradhan to the post of vice-president while Umesh Shrestha was chosen secretary-general.



Pradhan group claimed representatives from 13 districts, 14 gymnastic clubs and 11 members of executive committee took part in the election.



Meanwhile, Singh group, reaching Pradhan group´s assembly venue, handed documents of their general assembly to AGU representative Malik.



"Such controversies are not new in Asian countries," said Malik, responding to queries from media persons. "However, AGU recognizes the election of only that association which is registered in AGU," added Malik.



NSC had dissolved the NGA executive committee led by Pradhan last month reasoning that the committee had not submitted its financial report to NSC every year and had conducted no sporting activities for years.



However, putting forward the International Olympic Committee´s Charter, Pradhan group had been denouncing the NSC decision.

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