NSC on last Thursday had decided to include swimming as the last (15th) game to be participated in by Nepal. However, NOC said that it would be impossible to include swimming in the Asiad. [break]
The other 14 games have already conducted preliminary selection of players for the Asiad but swimming is yet to conduct the selection. The selection of swimming will be held on Friday, said Samim Miya Ansari, the president of Nepal Swimming Association authorized by NSC. He also claimed that swimming be included in the Asiad.
In contrast, NOC General-secretary Jeevan Ram Shreshta said that NOC cannot give affiliation to swimming as they are not authorized by World Swimming Federation (WSF), the apex swimming body. “Now it is difficult to add other game as the time for registration has already past.”
NSC had dissolved the NSA led by Pragun Shumsher Rana last month and formed a new body under the chairmanship of NSC member Ansari. But the NSA led by Ansari has not been authorized by WSF. However, NSC had decided to include swimming in Asiad.
However, NSC Member-secretary Hari Babu Chaudhary echoed a different voice. “We have corresponded with NOC for participation and they should take further steps to ensure Nepal’s participation,” Chaudhary said, adding, “NOC should only coordinate in the process, government will bear everything else including expenses.”
NOC General-secretary Shrestha said that they have not received any letter regarding swimming’s participation in the Asiad.
Late Preparation
As usual, this time too Nepal has made a late start in preparing for the Asiad. With less than four months remaining for the regional sporting fiesta, Nepal is set to start preparations from Tuesday.
NSC on Monday directed the coaches of all 15 events being participated in by Nepal to start preparations.
NSC has demanded Rs 50 million for the preparation of Asiad. “The budget has not yet been allocated. But we have asked coaches and officials of the respective events to start preparations,” Member-secretary Chaudhary said. “We hope that budget to come promptly after the training begins.”
Chaudhary, however, said that he is not in the state to point exactly when the budget will be allocated as it should be given by the government.
Earlier, NSC had announced to start the first phase preparations from May 29 and second phase from July 31. However, the plan could not be carried out due to lack of budget.
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