The museum, located at one of the rooms at the Dasharath Stadium, was established 16 years ago and is studded with sports artifacts, some used nearly a century ago. But if we are to believe Chhitij Arun Shrestha, the founder president of the museum, it is likely to be shut down for good. [break]
Shrestha has employed three curatorial staffers at the museum besides his own active role, but he has been finding it difficult to pay them salaries and fund other administrative costs.
"I have not been able to pay salaries to the staff since last three months and one of them has not reported for duty since a couple of weeks," said the 44-year old Shrestha who approached the National Sports Council (NSC), the apex sports body of the nation, on Sunday, with requests for financial support to the museum. He was, however, denied meeting by NSC´s member secretary Yubaraj Lama saying he was busy.
One of the showcases at the museum broke on Saturday causing damages to Nara Trophy and two blazers used by the Nepali team during the first Asian Games in 1952. “Showcases, where the artifacts are kept, are old and in miserable condition," said Shrestha pointing at one of them.
Similarly, the hard disks of the museum, where about 750,000 photos are stored, are also out of order, informed Shrestha. "I consulted computer technicians and they said it´ll cost about Rs 60,000 for recovering the old data."
Shrestha had time and again requested NSC and Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) headed by Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan for financial support, but all his plea fell in dead ears. "During the 16-years of the museum´s existence, NOC provided only Rs 450,000 and NSC only space and electricity for running the museum. In total, we have received Rs 800,000 from different person and institutions. I have personally spent Rs 1.3 million for the museum," claimed Shrestha.
"Member Secretary Lama has assured financial support but has not said anything when it would come. If we don´t get the support promptly, we will be forced to close the museum," said Shrestha.
"NSC might not be interested to support us as the museum carries the word Olympic in its name," said Shrestha, adding, "The name itself has become a curse but one should realize that the museum is a independent organization committed to preserving and promoting Nepal´s sports history."
The museum is studded with trophies of premier tournaments like Madan Memorial Cricket Trophy introduced 95 years ago, and an 85-year old shield belonging to Juddha Sumsher´s era.
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