NSC confusion ends as Ministry approves budget

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 4: The confusion over the release of the proposed budget has ended following the Finance Ministry acceptance to deliver the budget enabling National Sports Council to send its squad for the upcoming 9th South Asian Games.

Minister of Finance Ram Sharan Mahat had asked NSC not to slash its proposed number of member squad from 220 and has agreed to hand over the proposed budget demand of 32.8 million rupees. According to a NSC source, the Finance Minister has told NSC officials that the Ministry will release about 22.8 million rupees very soon and the rest of 10 million rupees will be given for later on. But for the moment, NSC will have to use 10 million rupees from its Development Budget.

The ministry’s much awaited approval has enabled the sports main governing body in Nepal to send the names of national team for Islamabad, Pakistan, the venue of 9th SAF Games by September 5, a month earlier before the Games opens in October 6 this year.

If the releasing of the NSC proposed budget of 32.8 million rupees on time had been delayed by the Finance Ministry because of the ministry’s consistence demand to slash the number of Nepalese participants, the NSC would have to face many troubles.

However, NSC officials today said that the Finance Ministry, which is asking NSC to send players of those games where Nepal can fetch medals, has agreed to release about 22.8 million rupees.

We had earlier planned to participate with greater number of our squad as the SAF Games has a special meaning for Nepal, a SAARC member nation, but due to ministry demand for slash in the squad members’ numbers, we did it from 235 to 220" Palikhe said.

" We are unable to slash the number of players from 157 now because these players have already been selected and are being put into close camps for the intensive coaching for the Pakistan SAF Games," Palikhe said. Apart from 157 players of 14 disciplines, coaches, referees and officials will also go as the 9th SAF Games members.

The government should look on the brighter side of participation in the SAF Games because it will consolidate and enhance Nepal’s relations among SAARC member nation.

More players for SAF Games selected

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 4: The following players from different disciplines have been selected for the upcoming 9th SAF Games.

Squash

Hira Bahadur Thapa, Suresh Gurung, Satya Narayan Shrestha and Amrit Bahadur Ale.

Badminton

Men

Pashupati Paneru, Sudip Yonjan, Jayanta Shrestha, Samir Bahadur Singh, Indra Mahata and Kiran Thapa.

Women

Rajani Joshi, Sumina Shrestha, Kalpana Rana and Samjhana Khaling.

Shooting

Men

Asim Yadav (Rifle), Tika Ram Shrestha (Rifle), Shankar Shrestha (Rifle), Upendra Thapa (Pistol), Badaruddin Ansari (Pistol) and Sudhan Khadka (Pistol).

Women

Bhagwati KC (Rifle), Bivashwori Rai (Rifle), Jyotsana Baruwal (Rifle), Sangita Karki (Pistol), Maya Sunuwar (Pistol) and Nista Poudel (Pistol).

Wrestling

Brahmadev Yadav (85 kg), Shovi Yadav (58 kg), Pralhad Yadav (76 kg), Rajisharan Yadav (97 kg), Ramchandra Yadav (69 kg) and Bindeshwor Yadav (130 kg).

Volleyball

Rajkumar Adhikari, Tarakant Choudhary, Lekhnath Lamsal, Shreeram Bogati, Chhabilal Oli, Sanjeev Shah, Rabi Bogati, Bharat Shah, Deepak Thapa, Ramananda Singh Tharu, Pashupati Choudhary and Indra Shrestha.