Yubaraj Lama to lead equestrian

KATHMANDU, May 2: Following in the footsteps of his predecessors at the National Sports Council (NSC), Yubaraj Lama, the council´s member secretary, signaled his long term involvement in sports politics by taking the supreme post in the newly reshuffled Nepal Equestrian Association (NEA).



According to a press release issued by the NSC on Wednesday, NSC President and Minister for Youth and Sports Kamala Roka reshuffled the NEA and formed a new 17-member committee. [break]



Taekwondo ace Deepak Bista is one among the five vice-presidents while former president Balaram Shrestha has been named general secretary. The release also states that the new committee was formed following the recommendation from former president Shrestha.



"The decision to reshuffle the committee was taken by Minister Roka," NSC Member secretary Lama said, adding, "It was done as per the recommendation of former President Shrestha."



Taking up a top post of any sports association by NSC leadership is seen as a step toward making an entry into Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) and being part of sports politics.

Lama, however, denied that he was aiming to enter the NOC.



The press release also further states that former President Shrestha himself recommended a reshuffle of the committee stating that his committee was unable to conduct its general assembly and failed to established the game in the country. The former president Shrestha could not be contacted for comment despite repeated attempts.



Equestrian had fetched three medals including a gold and two bronze medals for Nepal in the First South Asian Beach Games held in Hambantota, Sri Lanak in October 2011.

Meanwhile, taekwondo ace Deepak Bista said that he accepted the post of vice-president as a player´s representatives. "My career as a player is near its end though I have yet to announce my retirement officially," said Bista. "As I have decided to dedicate my whole life to sports, I chose to take up the post."



Lama´s confidant and press advisor Diwas Guragain has also been named a member in the committee. Nawaraj Silwal and Rajiv Shah are other vice-presidents.



Two representatives from Nepal Army, including a vice-president and a member are listed in the committee. Prakash Chandra Ghimire, and Rameshman Malla are the secretary and the treasurer respectively in the 17-member committee.

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