The sports governing body of Nepal inaugurated the 20th School-level National Special Sports Meet at the Dasharath Stadium reportedly to promote 'sports for all concept'. However, planning the event at the end of the fiscal year has come under criticism from within the organizing committee."This tournament is being organized only to finish the budget," one of the organizers told Republica under condition of anonymity.
Tournament coordinator and former athletics coach of Nepal Police Club, Lila Shrestha, expressed concerns that the slippery track due to the early morning drizzle posed risks to the differently-abled children.
"This is not the right time to organize games, especially for physically challenged children. It is difficult even for a professional athlete to run in slippery track. Imagine how difficult would it be for the handicapped when they are already suffering a lot due to their disability?" said Shrestha, who has been volunteering for the event since the last 17 years.
Shrestha told Republica that he had proposed January/February date to organize the event but his pleas fell into deaf ears.
On the bright side, Shrestha is glad that the tournament will get continuity next year.
"It is good that the show shall continue," said Shrestha, adding that a lot of challenges still remain for disabled children.
According to Shrestha, the indifferent approach of the NSC regarding para-athletes has had repercussion for the development of disabled sportsmen.
"This is the platform where we look for potential players for Asian-level games. But the children have been brought here just for the sake of participation. They don't have any knowledge of the rules of the games," said a dejected Shrestha, who was looking for would-be medalists with keen eyes.
The veteran athlete lamented that the NSC didn't show any interest in coaching the disabled children despite his repetitive offers to train them free of cost.
One of the participants, Manish Kumar Shah, who travelled to the capital all the way from Dhanusha said, "People need to understand that disabled ones like us also need to play games like all others. However few opportunities we have, we need to make the best use of them."
Prakash Chandra Ghimire, chief of the NSC's Sports Training and Planning Department, admitted that 'special games' have not got proper support from the sports governing body.
"We have not been able to bring players here from remote areas because of cost factor," said Ghimire, adding, "The total cost of the tournament is Rs 1.5 million and the NSC has been bearing all the expenses of the participants."
According to Ghimire, about 350 players and coaches from around the country will be competing for 40 gold medals in three different categories - blind, hearing impaired and physical disability - during the two-day event.
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