Bista, who generally gives articulate speech, spoke with a heavy heart and his voice was interrupted by sobbing. “I´ve experienced lots of ups and downs in my 15-year career. I´m under lot of stress now even after my success in the SAG,” said Bista. [break]
Bista got entangled in a controversy all of a sudden after he attended a meeting as chef-de-mission for the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore in August. Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) said Bista was appointed chef-de-mission as a reward but the National Sports Council (NSC) and Nepal Taekwondo Association (NTA) took it otherwise.
NTA even suspended Bista while NSC slapped a one-year ban on him from playing taekwondo. Bista is a central member of NTA and an employee of NSC.
“I accepted the offer as NOC said it was a reward for me,” Bista gave his clarification and added, “But that reward gave me my life´s greatest bitterness.”
NTA and NSC concluded that NOC used Bista as a tool against them in a triangular conflict between the three bodies. NTA held NOC responsible for taekwondo players´ missed opportunity to participate in the Youth Olympics but Bista was appointed chef-de-mission by NOC at a time when NTA was gearing for protests.
“I don´t feel like I was used by anybody. We are players and only the nation can use us. History will evaluate it,” said Bista. He couldn´t speak anymore. Bista was sobbing throughout the entire 45-minute program at the Marshyangdi Hotel.
He was awarded with Rs 523,471 for his extraordinary feat of achieving four consecutive golds in the South Asian Games (SAG).
Chief guest and Constituent Assembly member Gagan Thapa spoke in support of Bista. He drew the attention of the prime minister through the press, urging him to revoke the charges against Bista.
All Nepal Football Association´s President Ganesh Thapa challenged NSC to take away Bista´s job. “If you dare, take away his job. Can an NSC official appointed politically for a short period take away the job of a national player?” questioned Ganesh Thapa and added, “What is the use of NSC if it does not allow players to play?”
He further said that all the people, political parties and players are on Bista´s side. If the decision to take action against Bista is not taken back, players won´t remain silent, warned Thapa.
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