Minister vows to end politics in sports

Published On: August 9, 2017 02:05 AM NPT

KATHMANDU, August 9: Minister for Youth and Sports Rajendra Kumar KC said that he is fully committed to preventing the politics affecting Nepali sports.

“I am well-informed about Nepali sports being affected by politics but during my tenure I will not allow politics to influence the sports,” said KC speaking at the interaction with Nepali medalilsts of South Asian Games (SAG) and Asian Games, at his official residence in Harihar Bhawan, Pulchowk, on Tuesday.

“I won't let politics to affect players' careers and overall sports,” added Minister KC.

He also said that he has been given the responsibility to work to uplift Nepali sports and that he can do so only if he receives support from all sides.

On the same occasion, Minister KC said that he stated that lack of proper infrastructures is major obstacle to hosting the upcoming SAG in Nepal next year.

“We don't have much time before the SAG and infrastructure is major barrier to host the sub-continental sporting event successfully. Most of our infrastructures are damaged by the earthquakes so our current challenge is to restore them on time,” added KC.

“I have also been consulting departmental teams that have good sporting infrastructures. Pokhara also could be a good venue for hosting some of the SAG events," KC said.

Meanwhile Nepal National and International Players Association (NNIPA) President Dipak Shrestha thanked Minister KC for inviting players to his residence for the interaction.

He also demanded Minster KC to categorize all the international medals won by the players and provide them state benefits accordingly.

“I request Minister KC to take initiative for providing social security to such players and concessions in education, health, and transport services among other things,” said Shrestha.

On the same occasion, Olympian Baikuntha Manandhar suggested to Minister KC to make the development and renovation of the sporting infrastructures a priority in order to host SAG successfully.

NNIPA's former president Dipak Bista requested Minister KC to help endorse a policy to provide state benefits to international medalists on the basis of their achievement.