Youth and Sports Minister Ganesh Tiwari Nepali, addressing Asiad Review Meeting at the ministry, said that the ministry has decided to launch an investigation into the matter.[break]
“There is an existence of two NOCs and the NSC and NOC are at loggerheads. Moreover, Nepal put up a dismal performance in the Asiad. All these matters have compelled us to launch an investigation,” said Minister Nepali.
Taking responsibility for Nepal´s dismal performance in Asiad as the head of the Nepali delegation, he said, “I was head of the Nepali delegates and I apologize for Nepal´s low performance,” said Nepali, adding, “The government had fixed the size of the Nepali delegation but NSC defied the government directive. As the head of the NSC, I should have resigned. But I don´t have that option either as the prime minister has already resigned,” he added.
He criticized NSC leadership as well as NOC officials for dispute over the appointment of chef de mission in Asiad. “I had asked both the NSC and NOC to sort their differences before flying for Asiad. However, they couldn´t and decided to fly under my leadership,” said Nepali.
Minister Nepali also criticized the participating National Associations for being complacent with their performance though they performed below par during the Asiad.
Secretary at the ministry Sushil SJB Rana has asked all the participating National Associations to submit their written report to the ministry. He also said that the practice of including the NSC staff and officials of the national associations in the national squad should be stopped in the days to come.
“The country is responsible for the expenses of athletes and coaches. But the associations should manage expenses for their executives,” said Rana. He also questioned the participation of six sports other than those recommended by NSC in the Asiad and reiterated that the issue should also come under the purview of the proposed investigation.
NSC member-secretary Hari Babu Chaudhary also complained that staffers at the NSC do not follow his instructions and urged the ministry to do the needful. Meanwhile, Chaudhary, NSC Vice-president Pitambar Timalsina and member Samim Miya Ansari held NOC headed by Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan responsible for the ill management of Asiad participation. They claimed that the NOC humiliated them in Guangzhou.
Earlier, NSC´s Training Director Narayan Yadav read out the review report on Asiad participation. The NSC report cited inadequate budget and training and lack of new technology and equipments as the reason behind failure. The report also accused NOC of not coordinating with them.
NOC officials, however, were not called in the meeting. “There are two NOCs. NOC headed by Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan had coordinated Nepal´s participation in the Asiad while Supreme Court has issued the verdict in favor of NOC headed by Rukma Samsher Rana. Thus, we could not make NOC officials participate in the meeting,” said Rana, the secretary of the ministry.
According to the report, 166 people, including 98 players, 20 coaches and 48 officials, had participated in the Asiad in 14 different games. The NSC report does not mention anything about five other games that secured Asiad participation through NOC.
Earlier, representatives of various associations talked about the performance of their team in the Asiad. Most of the representatives expressed satisfaction over the performance. Nepal Taekwondo Association Treasurer Rabi Raj Singh was the only representative to apologize for the dismal performance of his team in the Asiad.
Nepal Boxing Association President Rabi Raj Thapa pleaded for more support and encouragement to the only medal winner Deepak Maharjan to prepare him for the London Olympics.
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