Nepali wrestlers are participating in five events of the 11th SAG slated for January 29 to February 9 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ten players are in the closed-camp training.
“There is only quota for five out of seven events in wrestling,” coach Khagendra Basnet said. “We have two players in each weight category as a partner for the training and stand-by for the event.”
Satyendra Yadav of Bara and Nagendra Yadav of Siraha are training in 120 kg while Prahlad Yadav of Nawalparasi and Brij Kishor Yadav of Parsa are in 96 kg. Similarly, Rajesh Yadav of Parsa and Sandesh Pandit of Bara are in 84 kg. The remaining wrestlers are from Bara: Puni lal Yadav in 74 kg, Manoj Yadav in 66 kg, Mukhtar Alam in 60 kg and Subash Yadav in 55 kg.
“We will not return empty handed,” said Basnet. Nepal had won silver and bronze medals earlier. Basnet believed next SAG would bring a glory to Nepali wrestling with the golden glitters.
According to Basnet, Mukhtar and Subash are the potential gold medalists. “They are as good as Asian level players and they will definitely win gold,” said Basnet quoting Mongolian coach Oso Mukhpat, who is looking after the training.
India and Pakistan are the strong opponents. India is much ahead owing to the fact that their government provides more funds for infrastructure and to carry out trainings. “We train players only a few months before competition,” Basnet said.
Meanwhile, the National Sports Council (NSC) authorities have agreed to provide an office for the Nepal Wrestling Association in Kathmandu within a week and a hall for training in the near future. “We had been negotiating with the NSC authorities for some time,” said Basnet.
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