EXCERPTS
REPUBLICA: What do you have to say about the row between the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC)?
Shah: It is ridiculous because international sports anywhere doesn´t want any conflict. The primary objective is to develop sports peacefully.
REPUBLICA: Then what is the reason for this row?
Shah: Selfish interests.
REPUBLICA: Why is there a problem now and not during your time?
Shah: After the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, through the success of Peter Uberoth (organizer of the 1984 Summer Olympics) the potential for financial success dawned on the Olympic movement. President (Juan Antonio) Samaranch of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had the perspicacity to grab the opportunity and capitalize on this. International Sports and Leisure (ISL) came into the scene along with Dassler of Adidas and now IOC is a very rich organization and they distribute lots of money to NOC.
That´s where the problem lies. The National Sports Council (NSC) has to go through audit by the auditor general (whether it has done or not I don´t know) whereas NOC can probably get away without that.
REPUBLICA: Do you mean to say that NOC is not transparent?
Shah: Transparency is a rare commodity in Nepal; why do you expect it of NOC and NSC?
REPUBLICA: Wasn´t it a rare commodity during your time?
Shah: There was not a penny which was not accounted for. After me, both these organizations were taken away by people who were antagonistic towards me and they couldn´t touch me even with a long bamboo pole.
You must realize that nothing is achieved without sacrifice and vision. Sacrifice means sacrificing your petty interests and vision means ability to see the big picture. Sadly, there seems to be lack of both in the present sports leadership.
REPUBLICA: How did you manage the funds?
Shah: We were living from hand to mouth. NSC´s budget was Rs 600,000 in 2034 B.S.. But we still achieved more success than what is being achieved now.
REPUBLICA: What do you mean by success?
Shah: We achieved eight medals in the 1986 Asiad; now they have got one. See the difference.
REPUBLICA: What was the reason behind your success?
Shah: There were basically three things
1. We used our capabilities to the fullest.
2. There was a feeling of intense nationalism in the entire Nepali sports world of that time and each achievement meant we were adding a feather to the Nepalese cap. We weren´t as shameless as we are now.
3. Each individual sportsman was unique. Our priorities were correct. The rest I don´t have to say.
REPUBLICA: If you were living from hand to mouth, how did you manage the funds?
Shah: There were 14 zonal sports development committees. They raised their own funds. We at the centre saw to it that there were no irregularities. It was a national movement heading towards a clear objective. All that has been compromised now.
REPUBLICA: Don´t you feel sad that what you had achieved has been shattered by the present leadership?
Shah: Even the shadow of what once was great is passing away, as Shakespeare said. Why only blame the present leadership?
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