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| Kathmandu, Monday December 30, 2002 Paush 15, 2059. |
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Nepal, Russia agree to
exchange cooperation in basketball
Post Report
KATHMANDU, Dec 29:The Nepal Basketball
Association (NBA) and Russian Basketball Federation (RBF) signed a protocol of cooperation
in the basketball sector on Sunday, providing for the exchange of know-how and information
on issues related to the sport.
Mahesh Agrawal, president of NBA and president
of Russian Basketball Federation (RBF) Sergei Chernov signed the protocol in front of
Russian ambassador to Nepal Valery V Nazarov, who was the chief guest of the ceremony.
This is the first time that any sport
association from Russia has signed such an agreement with a Nepali sport body.
The protocol empowers the two bodies to regular
exchange of invitations to each other as well as extend all kind of support, both at the
government and non-government levels, for the qualitative enhancement of the game of
basketball. It also includes running of professional training for coaches, referees and
other basketball specialists.
Ambassador Valery V Nazarov said the protocol
was "very important" for both countries. "I hope that this protocol will be
a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries," he
said, assuring similar support from Russia in other sports in the future.
"I was surprised by the number of referees
that participated in the programme," Chernov expressing satisfaction over enthusiasm
shown by Nepali referees during the referee clinic organised by NBA between Dec 26-28.
"And it was interesting to see women
basketball players too," he added. "This signals the healthy progress of
basketball in Nepal."
Chernov had arrived here with the five-member
delegates from Russian Basketball Federation for the clinic that concluded yesterday. A
total of 35 Nepali basketball referees attended the clinic run by Mikhail Davydov, FIBA
referee and member FIBA World Technical Commission.
"This visit marks the start of cooperation
between the two sport’s ruling bodies," he said, pledging more support from his
federation to NBA in the future.
Mahesh Agrawal, president of NBA, expressing
gratitude towards Russian support, said: "I believe the implementation of this
agreement will strengthen the game of basketball in Nepal and bring good results." He
also expressed hope that the agreement would lead to similar cooperation between the two
nations in other sports.
NBA general secretary Sita Pandey, attaché to
the Russian ambassador Pavel M Volosov and other NBA members were also present on the
occasion. |
