KATHMANDU, Nov 27: The athletes and players aspiring to win medals in the upcoming 13th South Asian Games (SAG) were left confused after the government failed to disclose any particular incentives during a Special Acknowledgement and Wishing Program held in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Nepal is set to host 13th SAG in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Janakpur from December 1 to 10.

Speaking in the program Minister of Finance Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada said that the government is planning to introduce sports-oriented policies in line with the new federal structure. He further subsided to announce any particular prize for the athletes. He hinted at cabinet is yet to make any concrete decision despite SAG starting next week. 

“The cabinet will decide on the prize money once the sports minister forwards their proposal for rewarding the participants,” said Khatiwada in the program attended by Minister of Youth and Sports (MoYS) JagatBahadurBishwokarma and Nepal Sports Council (NSC) Ramesh Kumar Silwal.

He, however, assured that there will be a sizeable increment in incentives from yesteryears. “Play for the country and medals, there will be sizeable increment in the prize money that government had provided in previous editions. Sports is a great medium to unite nations.”

Previously, government used to award Rs 300,000, 200,000 and 100,000 for the first three placed winners in multi-national prestigious tournaments.

Minister Khatiwada led the government delegation after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli could not make it after being admitted to hospital following his health complication. PM Oli further went appendicitis surgery at Manmohan Cardiothoracic, Vascular and Transplant Center under Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.

Prime Minister Oli was supposed to announce the rewards for the winners of the SAG, according to Khatiwada.

Addressing the program, Minister Khatiwadafurther vowed to construct a well-equipped volleyball covered hall in the country. He had instructed the concerned authorities to arrange the land for the same. He further said that games and sports play an important role in strengthening national unity.

Also speaking at the program, Minister Bishwakarma stressed on the preparations for the mega event is almost over. According to him, Nepal will be successful in organizing an event of such grandeur despite several question marks regarding lack of required infrastructures in recent times.

On the occasion, Nepal’s triumphant women volleyball team was acknowledged for their success in the recently held Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Senior Women Central Zone Volleyball Championship. Nepal national women volleyball team had claimed the maiden international title for Nepal in volleyball, age-level, men or women, on November 14 defeating the Maldives in the finals. Earlier, the government had declared to confer Rs 300,000 each after their feat which was provided in the presence of Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) president Jeevan Ram Shrestha.

“Players need to prepare well without being bothered about the rewards or the opposition. Athletes should be stubborn to win medals. Everything else will fall in place,” said Shrestha during the event.

 
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