KATHMANDU, Jan 31: Nepal Judo Association (NJA) on Saturday distributed relief funds to journalists affected by last year's devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on April 25. This was the third phase of relief program organized by the NJA with funds collected from the International Judo Federation (IJF) and All Japan Judo Federation.
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Earlier, the judo governing body of Nepal had provided Rs 300,000 each to the family members of three judo players killed in the quake in the first phase while it had provided relief to the coaches and members of the association in the second phase.
NJA President Deepak Harsha Bajracharya informed that the IJF provided US$ 50,000 as earthquake relief while the Japanese judo federation donated US$ 10,000 for development project following the earthquake that claimed lives of more than 9,000 people and rendered thousands homeless."We requested the IJF and Judo Union of Asia for help after the calamity and they generously provided funds," said Bajracharya during Saturday's program during which 20 journalists, whose houses were destroyed, received support from the judo governing body of Nepal.
National Sports Council's Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista praised the role played by the NJA in garnering international support for the quake victims.
"The NJA president deserves applause for gathering donations due to his good relations with stakeholders of international sports," said Bista.
NJA President Bajracharya said that the fourth phase of relief will be provided to those athletes and individuals who missed the relief funds in the first three phases. The remaining amount will be spent for development projects, according to Bajracharya, who was recently elected as the NJA president for the third term.
On Saturday, NSC Member Secretary Bista handed over checks worth Rs 25,000 to 20 journalists on behalf of the NJA. Those who received the funds are Dhruba Tuladhar, Dipesh Timilsina, Sonita Aryal, Feroz Rajophadhya, Anjan Khadka, Subash Humagain, Mahesh Acharya, Govinda Regmi, Rajesh Bhandari, Dil Bahadur Tamang, Ajay Phuyal, Moti Amgain, Samagya Prasad Lacol, Manoj Ghimire, Dipendra Gurung, Anil Malla Thakuri, Prajol Shakya, Pradeep Man Singh, Bishnu Thapa and Niranjan Rajbanshi.
Meanwhile, family members of journalist Suman Bhomjan, who died in the April earthquake last year, received Rs 50,000 from the NJA.
NJA also provided support to its ailing coach Chandra Narayan Chaudhary, who is suffering from kidney-related problems. Chaudhary's daughter Sita received a check of Rs 25,000 from the NJA. Another national player, Deepak Krishna Shrestha, who was injured in a lift mishap during the 10th South Asian Games in Bangladesh was provided with Rs 10,000 for treatment.
