KATHMANDU, Aug 3: Former Prime Minister of Mongolia and President of the Mongolian Chess Federation, Gombojavyn Zandanshatar, paid a courtesy call on Minister of Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokharel on Monday.
In a meeting that took place at the ministry in Singha Durbar, they discussed strengthening bilateral relations, shared interests, and multidimensional cooperation, recalling the diplomatic relations between Nepal and Mongolia.
They also discussed how Nepal and Mongolia have had many similarities in terms of geography and culture, as well as friendly diplomatic relations.
Similarly, discussion was held on promoting chess in school education, and possible collaboration in the future.
Education Minister Pokharel calls for good coordination among t...
Minister Pokharel mentioned the long-standing friendly relations between Nepal and Mongolia, their similar geographical conditions, and the diverse aspects of their cultures, expressing his belief that the multifaceted ties between the two countries will deepen even more in the days to come.
He stated that Nepal is interested in collaborating with the Mongolian government and the Mongolian Chess Federation, especially in the field of sports in education.
Minister Pokharel said that Nepal is moving forward in a direction where sports will be integrated into school education, and the ministry is positive about it. He also expressed the idea of making a positive initiative for collaboration between Nepal's Chess Federation and Mongolia's Chess Federation in the field of sports.
Former Prime Minister Zandanshatar talked about the diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Nepal, their similar geography and cultural practices, and also mentioned that the landlocked country of Mongolia has a majority of Buddhists.
He also dwelled on the importance of chess in school education. While stating that chess is an important means of education, he informed that Mongolia has been working for a long time to integrate chess into school education in collaboration not only with various South Asian countries but also with other countries around the world.
The Mongolian former prime minister stated that his country is also ready to collaborate with Nepal's Ministry of Education and Sports for that.
Zandanshatar explained that chess is an important medium for students to develop skills like critical thinking, decision-making, and making independent choices, as well as for intellectual growth.
He mentioned the example of how chess has been integrated and adapted into school education in Mongolia, and emphasized that Mongolia, on behalf of the Mongolian government and the Mongolian Chess Federation, is ready to provide support and cooperation to the Nepal Chess Federation to connect chess with school education in Nepal as well.
