Army has cited the First South Asian Army Sports Meet, which is also scheduled for March, as the reason for the pullout. Army had also pulled out its players from events participated by Maoist PLA Club during the Fifth National Games held three years ago. As PLA Club has been included as a departmental team in the Sixth National Games, there was rumor of Army´s pullout. [break]
However, Army Spokesperson Ramindra Chhetri denied the rumor and cited the South Asian Army Sports Meet as the reason for pulling out of the National Games. “Nepal Army is hosting the Army Sports Meet in near future and all our athletes are preparing for the event, so we´ll be unable to participate in the Sixth National Games,” said Chhetri. He said none of the Army players will participate in the Sixth National Games.
Army has been constructing a stadium and a covered hall inside the premises of Rajdal Battalion at Lagankhel. Army has also been preparing an athletics track.
The South Asian Army Sports Meet is expected to start just after the completion of the Sixth National Games and the date and participating teams are yet to be finalized. According to an Army source, homework is being done to finalize the date and participating teams.
National Sports Council (NSC) Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama said NSC is yet to receive information about Army´s pullout. “I don´t know anything about this. Army has not informed us anything till now,” said Lama on Sunday evening.
Lama claimed that the Sixth National Games would not hamper the Army Sports Meet. “As we talked earlier with Army officials, the meet is scheduled for the second week of March. The Sixth National Games could be a preparation tournament for Army players participating in the meet. I´m confident that Army will not pull out of the National Games,” said Lama.
Lama said that it would be unfortunate for Nepali sports if Army pulled out of the Sixth National Games.
Lama said that if Army pulls out of the National Games, Army players will not get chance to participate in the 12th South Asian Games. “The Sixth National Games is also a qualifying tournament for the 12th SAG. If players do not participate in the Sixth National Games, it is obvious that they will not get a chance to participate in international tournaments,” said Lama.
“How can we take players to the international level if they do not participate in the National Games? Wouldn´t it be an injustice to the rest of the players?" questioned Lama.
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