NSC has given the nod to only four players among the ten registered for the Asiad scheduled for November 12-27 in Guangzhou, China.[break]
“NSC should allow the players to compete if the association is capable of bearing the cost. It would be a great relief if NSC approved our request,” says table tennis coach Sushil Kumar Paudel. “It is absolutely necessary to give continuity to the game if the players are to bring good results in the long run,” he added.
Coach Paudel believes that participation in the Asiad will help the players learn new things and the exposure will be of great help when they compete in the next edition of the South Asian Games (SAG).
“Our major target is the SAG and we were hoping to bring good results in its next edition if the players get continuity in the game. As far as the Asiad is concerned, it is like a mini Olympics. Winning medal at present is like building castles in the air. Even strong countries like Japan and India can´t claim in advance to win medals. Moreover, the seeding-by-ranking format makes it impossible for us to win medals,” he said.
According to the format, a weak opponent has to face a strong one depending upon their rankings. Paudel says that improving the ranking gradually is the only key to success. “That is why it is necessary to play. If we don´t play, we´ll lie at the bottom and we can never ascend,” says the coach.
“If the players don´t get support from the apex body of sports, it will demoralize them as well as the newcomers. International participation on the other hand will give a positive message to the players and encourage them to do well,” he said.
“We have worked very hard for years to reach this level but we have been let down by the decision of NSC to exclude some players. Right now, participation alone is vital and it will surely bring good results in the future.”
After ending a 19-year medal drought in the SAG by winning bronze in the recent edition, Nepali table tennis was aiming to leapfrog in the upcoming SAG.
Muna Basukala, who won the first medal in an individual event after 27 years, will not be participating in the Asiad due to personal reasons, says Paudel. The highest record set by Nepali players was during the 1991 SAG when Geeta Chhetri Shah and Sijarin Shah won gold in the team event.
At that time, NSC used to send players for abroad training but now NSC doesn´t approve their participation even though the association is paying for it, Paudel laments.
The four players approved by NSC are Shiva Sundar Gothe, Nabita Shrestha, Purushottam Bajracharya and Swechchha Nembang. Paudel said NSC will bear the expenses of only Gothe and Shrestha. ANTTA will bear the expenses of the other two players as NSC declined to pay for them.
Other players whom the ANTTA is planning to send on its own expenses are Ajay Suwal, Chandan Shahi, Ranjit Singh Rayamajhi, Renuka Khatri, Elina Maharjan and Rabina Deshar. The process of registration of all ten players is complete and they are all set to receive accreditation cards.
“We will send the players at any cost because it is beneficial for them. I don´t think anyone will be harmed by letting the players compete. Maybe, it is the ego that is affecting the decision,” says Paudel.
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