The association, organizing a press conference on Tuesday, claimed that taekwondo players could not participate in the qualification because of the negligence of Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Council and Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC). [break]
The association handed over a six-point memorandum to the ministry on Tuesday demanding Nepal´s pullout from the Youth Olympics as well as compensation to players and the association. They also demanded that NOC´s account be maintained transparently.
They have warned that they would boycott all the programs of NOC, NSC and the ministry if their demands were not addressed within 48 hours.
The association claimed that the players had to participate in the qualification tournament being held in Mexico from Wednesday but they could not fly to Mexico as NOC didn´t provide financial support.
“NOC President Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan had told us that we would get financial assistance provided by International Olympic Committee but they didn´t keep their words,” said Prakash Shamsher Rana, president of the association.
The association had selected Sita Tamang (46 kg), Gyani Chunara (55 kg), Jhalak Man Tamang (46 kg) and Ranjan Shrestha (55 kg) for the qualification tournament after a month-long training in South Korea.
Meanwhile, NOC expressed its concern over the allegations. In a press statement, NOC said that it had supported players for training in Korea and was supportive toward their participation in the YOG.
“NOC had asked IOC for financial support for participation but it informed us to pay travel fare of players only after completing participation,” stated the release issued by NOC General Secretary Jiwan Ram Shrestha.
Meanwhile, NOC has refuted all the allegations and said that they are upset by the allegations.
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