KATHMANDU, Sept 15: A new book by sports journalist and author Nabin Aryal, titled Nepal-Japan Sports Relations, will be launched this Friday, September 18, in Nagoya, Japan.
Nepal and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1956. But Aryal’s new book explores how ties between the two countries were forged on the sporting field even before formal diplomatic relations were established.
Aryal’s first research-based book, An Account of Nepali Sports, was launched in 2023.
Nepal deposits instrument of accession of Nagoya Protocol
He said it took two years to complete Nepal-Japan Sports Relations, which is being launched in Japan.
According to author Aryal, the sporting relationship between Nepal and Japan began at the First Asian Games, held in New Delhi, India, in 1951. Through this book, he has tried to explore how our relationship developed from there.
The Japanese government played an active role in introducing sports such as judo, karate and soft tennis to Nepal. Japan has also provided substantial support in the development of volleyball, gymnastics and badminton in Nepal, he added.
The book covers a wide range of subjects, including the 1973 visit to Nepal by Soichi Saito, chairman of Toyota, one of Japan’s leading automobile companies, and Toyota’s investment in Nepal’s sports sector.
Nepal has now completed 75 years of participation in international competitions. The launch of Aryal’s book at the venue of the Asian Games is the first such occasion.
Aryal hopes the book will contribute to strengthening Nepal-Japan sports diplomacy in the years ahead.
He has been active in sports journalism for the past 27 years. The book will be launched at 5 p.m. at Diyalo Restaurant in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Japan is also set to host the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya
