Rajkarnikar, president of Nepal Kabaddi Association recognized by NOC, was thrashed at the airport after his arrival from the 16th Asian Games held in Guangzhou.[break] The group also hurled shoes at the Rajkarnikar. The police at the airport had to use force to bring the errant officials and players under control.
“I’m shocked. I identified some taekwondo players and officials while a few of them were masked,” said Rajkarnikar. “It was a planned attack,” he added.
Rajkarnikar accused senior taekwondo coach Deep Raj Gurung of planning the attack. “We had a minor altercation in Guangzhou on the issue of accreditation cards and he threatened that he would prove his strength in Kathmandu,” said Rajkarnikar. “I had taken the challenge simply.”
Rajkarnikar claimed that he was the person who provided accreditation cards and made lodging arrangements for taekwondo officials in Guangzhou. “It is sad that they planned this attack on me,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sunil Rajkarnikar has lodged a complaint against the attackers at the Metropolitan Police Range Kathmandu on Tuesday.
Despite repeated attempts, Gurung was not available for comments.
However, Nepal Taekwondo Association President Prakash Shamsher Rana denied involvement of taekwondo officials in the attack. “Our association is planning to organize a press conference. How can our officials attack Rajkarnikar?” questioned Rana. “Players or sports lovers might have expressed their frustrations at NOC’s mismanagement in Asiad by attacking Rajkarnikar,” Rana said.
Some officials of Nepal Gymnastics Association recognized by National Sports Council also tried to manhandle NOC President Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan at the airport. They questioned the legitimacy of gymnastics participation in the Asiad and the selection process of players. However, Pradhan left the airport saying that he would answer the question later.
Meanwhile, NOC issuing a press statement on Tuesday condemned the attack on Rajkarnikar. It has demanded strong action against the attackers.
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