A fighter with wrong cause

BY NARAYAN UPADHYAY

Kathmandu, May 2: Amateur Athletics Association of Nepal (AAAN) has got not only good athletes of the nation under its wing but also a fist fighter with a wrong cause in the form of its General Secretary.

At least today’s event at the National Institute of Sports Coaching complex has proved it when AAAN General Secretary indulged himself in the physical assault against a senior athletics coach.

The incident took place at NIS Deputy Director Keshav Raj Gautam’s office where Gautam and coach Narayan Yadav were discussing the issues relating to preparation for athletics for the 5th National Games.

Angry over what Yadav had said in today’s national newspapers, the Gorkhapatra Daily and The Rising Nepal , Rajkarnkar came rushing to Gautam’s office and attacked Yadav, clutched his neck and tried to strangle him.

Yadav had told these dailies about the failure of AAAN to provide remuneration and other facilities to athletes, coaches and judges which they are entittled to after the end of 6th Asian Cross Country Meet. Yadav’s quotes apparently led to Rajkarnikar’s loss of temper.

"Rajkarnikar came and all of sudden locked the latch of the door of my office behind and attacked Yadav," Gautam said to National Sports Council Member-Secretary Binod Shankar Palikhe at the latter’s office.

Most of national athletes and national coaches had gone to Palikhe’s office asking for action against Rajkarnikar.

Member-Secretary Palikhe promised to take action against Rajkarnikar and said that as the chief of NSC his priority would be to look after the safety of all the staffs and players working at NSC. Palikhe said that a show cause notice against Rajkarnikar had already been dispatched.

He said that NSC had already written a letter to Home administration in this regard and would further the process of taking action against AAAN General Secretary.

"We want to make sure that the accused should be brought to book in accordance with Nepal Sports Act." He said.

Nepal Olympic Committee President and AAAN President Rukma Shumsher Rana also seconded the Palikhe’s action plan against the accused. " Rajkarnikar’s behaviour is highly objectionable and action must be taken against him," Rukma said.

Yadav is the not only victim of Rajkarnikar. Earlier he had attacked at least seven known athletes of the country. Hari Bahadur Rokaya, Gajendra Lal Pradhan and Ujir Singh.

The national athletes and coaches who gathered at NSC complex said that Rajkarnikar is known for his short temper and had attacked many athletes whenever they go to him aksing remuneation and other facilities they are entitled to. Most of them are not hopeful of action against him.

" He had such acts in the past and we are not hopeful that action will be taken against him," the sad and angry Baikuntha Manandhar, the ace Nepalese marathoner said.

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