Malla made such remark during a farewell ceremony organized for a nine-member karate team from the Academy that is leaving for Dubai to compete in the Al Ahil International Karate Open Championship to be held there from February 2-4.[break]
"The Gurung-headed federation is not recognized by the Asian Karate Federation (AKF) and the World Karate Federation (WKF)," claimed Malla, adding, "Purendra Bikram Lakhe and Kedar Babu Shiwakoti represented Nepal in the general assembly of the South Asian Karate Federation a few months ago, and the Lakhe-headed federation is recognized internationally."
"I will discuss about the international affiliation with Con Kassis, the president of AKF and president of WKF referee committee," Malla said.
National Sports Council had dissolved the NKF headed by Lakhe on October 12 and appointed Gurung as its president. Gurung was later elected to the same post by the general assembly.
Malla also cited lack of international recognition as one of the reasons for his resignation from the Gurung-led NKF.
Malla also took a jibe at NSC and the Gurung-headed NKF for sending national players in the Second Faziltunessa Mujib International Karate Championship held in Dhaka a few weeks ago. Nepal had won 14 gold medals and lifted the team championship title at the event.
"It was only a club-level event and even the national players of Bangladesh did not compete in the event, but it was unfortunate for Nepal to send national players to Dhaka," he said. Seven of the 14 players who won gold medals at the event are products of Balaju Academy.
Speaking during the function, Republican Sports Federation of Nepal (RSFN) President Ranasangram Bista said RSFN would soon launch protest program against irregularities in sports.
Meanwhile, the nine-member team to participate in the Al Ahil Championship comprises five players and four officials. Nepal will vie for six gold medals during the event. Ram Bahadur Limbu, a silver medalist of the 10th South Asian Games, will compete in men´s 67 kg kumite. Bimala Tamang will participate in junior kumite and senior singles kata. Jyoti Ghale, Kripa Gurung and Bimala Tamang will compete in U-18 and senior team kata.
The team will be accompanied by Malla, who is also the chief coach and international karate referee, Asian referee Balaram Mitra, national referees Resham Lama and Chhetra Bahadur Ale. Ayub Khan is the manager of the team. The referees will also participate in a seminar on new rules of karate to be taken by Kassis.
Meanwhile, RSFN President Bista bade farewell to the team and wished them success.
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