“I cannot disclose everything in numbers,” NSC Vice-president Pitambar Timalsina said on Thursday. “However, I can say that we expect a better performance than in the 10th SAG.”[break]
Last time, in Colombo, Nepal was placed fourth in the ranking with 53 medals including seven golds among the seven nations of the region.
The SAG will kick off on Friday in Dhaka. ‘Better than last time’ could mean that the officials are hoping for 54 medals or eight golds or overall third position. The officials do not want to reveal what exactly they mean.
Hopefully, PM Nepal has not lost the piece of paper and his statement to the officials on that day: “We [government] will judge your performance after the SAG.”
In Dhaka, 283 Nepali players will compete for 132 gold medals in 23 events. And, players, coaches and officials know they could have prepared better for the event. “We could not meet your expectations but we request you to forget all about that and concentrate on your performance,” Timalsina told the players during a farewell organized by the Nepal Weightlifting Association on Wednesday.
In such circumstances, the players are enthusiastic for only two reasons: First, the SAG is the highest level of international event for their participation, and secondly, they want to perform the best for the nation.
Nepali players will be led by Deepak Bista, the Olympic qualifier, who is vying for the fourth consecutive gold medal in the SAG. Karateka Kushal Shrestha, Manita Shahi (taekwondo) and Kamal Bahadur Adhikari (weightlifting) are also hoping for the gold.
Nepal’s high expectations lie on martial arts events -- taekwondo, karate, wushu and judo. Weightlifting has won the largest number of medals in the SAG so far while wrestling has always returned with medals. Boxing, football and athletics are also expected to bring some honors.
Table tennis, shooting, swimming, archery, volleyball, badminton and squash won bronze medals in Colombo and they can repeat or better that this time around.
In Hockey, there are least hopes but the newly added golf can bring some surprises. Nothing much can be expected in kabaddi, basketball and cycling but some upset results can be witnessed in cricket and handball.
Expecting Nepal to defend the fourth position will not be too much, rather it would be more realistic as well, even though a jump in the ranking will certainly be a welcome news.
Dhaka all set for gala opening
The Bangladesh Olympics Committee (BOC) has completed all preparation for the 11th South Asian Games (SAG) that begins on Friday, the committee said at a press conference on Thursday.
“We are fully prepared to make the 11th SAG grand and a success,” said Kuttu Budin Ahmahed, the executive general secretary of the organizing committee.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed is scheduled to inaugurate the SAG amidst a grand function. Over 16,000 students will demonstrate in the inaugural ceremony.
About 1,000 security personnel will be deployed to provide security in the five-hour long inaugural ceremony.
Bangladesh is organizing the SAG for the third time. It will spend about $5.65 million (40 million Bangladesh Taka) during the inaugural and closing ceremonies, the committee said.
Jumbo Nepali delegation
Nepali delegation is the second biggest among the delegation of eight nations participating in the SAG. The size of the Nepali team is second largest after the hosts Bangladesh. Bangladesh has the highest 453 delegates while the Nepali delegation has 453 members.
Altogether 278 players in 23 different events, 52 coaches, officials and managers are included in Nepali team. Bhutan has the lowest 67-member delegation.India is the strongest team in SAG and it has 423-member delegation.
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Navin Aryal contributed to this story from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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