Shrestha, who was appointed by a UML minister after the Jana Andolan II, was under pressure to resign since the Ministry of Youth and Sports went to Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) candidate after the UML-led government was formed.
Shrestha said, “I decided to quit to facilitate a conducive atmosphere for new administration under the new sports minister. Very little time has left for preparation for eleventh SAG Games to be held in Bangladesh early next year and some important works are to be done quickly. This position can´t be left without a leadership for a long time. That´s why I decided to quit following democratic norms.”
At the press meet, Shrestha outlined the activities, progresses and challenges in sports sector during his tenure. He claimed that he worked for the welfare of sports without any political bias.
“I was appointed to work as the member-secretary of the council for a period of four years, but I am resigning earlier due to political compulsion. I wish future member-secretaries are allowed to complete their tenures.”
About other members appointed in the council by the past governments, Shrestha said they would continue as the government is a coalition government. Shrestha expressed commitment to work for the sports sector.
Shrestha is an alternative central committee member of CPN-UML. He is also the president of Nepal Ski Association and general secretary of Nepal Olympic Committee.
The last decision
Before quitting as NSC member-secretary, Shrestha corrected a one-year-old decision of registering a separate Nepal Football Association (NFA).
His decision of registering parallel football decision fuelled rivalry between already warring ANFA and NFA. However, Shrestha dissolved NFA on Thursday, paving way for the smooth amalgamation of NFA members into ANFA.
Reacting to the news, NFA General Secretary Indra Man Tuladhar said, “This is in accordance with the earlier agreement reached between then Youth and Sports minister Gopal Man Shakya, Sports Council Member Secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha, ANFA and NFA.”
He further added, “We had decided to dissolve NFA once new ANFA Statute is issued and new election date under the statute is declared. That´s why this decision is a welcome decision for all of us. We ourselves had applied to the council to dissolve NFA and Shrestha did we had asked for.”
Shrestha´s tenure at a glance
- Fifth National Games (April 6-13, 2009): Shrestha was successful in organizing Fifth National Games after a long gap of 11 years. Despite weaknesses in logistics and management, the Games, which cost around Rs 167 millions, was a success.
- Vision 2020: Shrestha introduced vision 2020 with the slogan “Sports for national pride and healthy people.” The main aim of vision 2020 is to win at least one gold medal in 2020 Summer Olympic Games. Though an unlikely aim, this can be seen as a courageous move.
- Central Sports Academy: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal laid foundation stone for the construction of a central level sports academy in Gauritar, Hetauda, recently. Construction work has begun for the academy to be spread over 300 ropanis of land.
- International participation: During Shrestha´s three-year tenure, Nepali players participated in several international tournaments, namely Tenth South Asian Games in Sri Lanka, 15th Asian Games in Doha, 29th Olympic Games in Beijing and First Youth Asian Games in Singapore.
- Welfare fund for players: In Shrestha´s tenure, a welfare fund of Rs 10 million, which was saved from the budget allocated for the Fifth National Games, was set up for the welfare of players.
Controversies
- Sports Council´s decision to dissolve 15 sports associations along with Nepal Basketball Association (NeBA) and All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on April 1, 2007, is the most controversial decision taken by Shrestha. He had asked all dissolved sports bodies to seek fresh mandate as they had held election during the direct rule of King Gyanendra.
- Shrestha was also involved the controversial election of Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) despite a court´s stay order. Shrestha himself got elected in the post of general secretary of NOC in the election.
- Shrestha registered Nepal Football Association on June 20, 2008, a rival of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) AFC and FIFA. This move escalated the rivalry between NFA and ANFA, resulting in postponement of national football league.
- He has been accused of recruiting many UML loyals in the nation´s sports governing body.
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