NHA organizing a press conference in the capital claimed that the tournament would be a first step toward its resurrection. NHA President Umesh Lal Shrestha admitted that his association was almost inactive for the last 13 years but vowed to continue national tournaments and other development works in the days to come. "I, as the president of the association, take all the responsibility for the dismal state of the sport," said Shrestha.[break]
NHA had organized Mayor Cup in 2054 in Nepalgunj and in Bhairahawa in 2055 BS as well as BP Memorial Hockey Championship in Janakpur in 2053 BS. NHA had organized the Eighth National Hockey Championship in 2051 BS while the game was included in the Fifth National Games held in Kathmandu three years ago by National Sports Council (NSC).
Shrestha was appointed president in the ad hoc committee in 2051 BS and the ad hoc committee has yet to hold election of its executive body. "We are in the process of calling our general assembly as soon as possible and tournament is not for avoiding election. We were planning the tournament long before," said NHA President Shrestha.
The governing body of Nepali sports, NSC, had given a two months deadline to all national association run by ad hoc committees. NSC Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama has been claiming of taking action against the national associations run by ad hoc committees and without any activity.
Nepal had participated in the 11th South Asian Games held in Dhaka in 2010 despite not having held national tournaments. According to NHA President Shrestha, hockey has been included in the SAG as a mandatory sport.
"Since it is mandatory sport in the regional tournament, we have to develop it in the days to come," said Shrestha.
In the 11th SAG, Nepal had conceded 79 goals in four games and was able to score only a goal. Nepal had lost 21-0 to India, 19-0 to Pakistan, 15-1 to Sri Lanka and 24-0 to the host Bangladesh. Dipendra Aire had scored the lone goal against Sri Lanka.
Nepal had conceded humiliating 54 goals and scored only one goal in four matches played in the Seventh South Asian Federation Games held in Madras, India in 1995. Jitendra Shrestha had scored the lone goal for Nepal against Bangladesh´s 10 goals while Nepal had lost 18-0 to India, 22-0 to Pakistan and 4-0 to Sri Lanka.
"We lack proper infrastructure for hockey. A proper turf is needed to play field hockey but we are unable to set up the expensive facility within the country right now," said Shrestha. "We used to play hockey on football grounds and we are still doing the same," he said. "We hope we can excel if we can set up turf field in the days to come," he added.
A team each from five development regions and Nepal Army will participate in the upcoming national tournament. All the participanting teams will get Rs 30,000 each for the preparation while the winners will bag a purse of Rs 30,000 and its coach will get Rs 15,000. The runner-up team and coach will receive Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. The best player of the tournament will get Rs 5,000.
The tournament will be played in league cum knockout format. "This is only beginning and I´m happy to imigine upcoming days rather than lamenting over the past," said Shrestha. "We´ll continue this tournament in the future and keep on increasing prize money every time," he added.
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