By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – 253 players are set to represent Nepal at the 19th Asian Games (ASIAD), taking place in Hangzhou, China next month. The Nepali contingent was bid farewell by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ amid a program held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu.
Speaking at the program, Prime Minister Dahal stated that he will also be in Hangzhou for the games’ opening ceremony. He also stated that the opening ceremony will be a matter of pride for him. Prime Minister Dahal will travel to China directly from New York, USA where he will participate in the United Nations General Assembly. Nepal have won two silver and 24 bronze medals in the 18 previous editions of the Asian Games.
National Sports Council member secretary Tanka Lal Ghising also expressed his words in the farewell program. He expressed that the Nepali players selected through a three-stage selection process and training at home and abroad will bring good results in the 19th ASIAD. He also added that the preparations of Nepali players have been good and expressed his belief for pleasant results. Ghising also added that Nepali athletes have got a decent international exposure ahead of the games which will help in getting good results.
Youth and Sports Minister Dig Bahadur Limbu, speaking at the program, mentioned that whole country is behind the athletes and sparked words of encouragement to perform with a high morale. Minister Limbu also added that he will go ahead with the proposal to make red passports for the athletes representing Nepal at the international level, aiming to eliminate the hours of time they have to stay in line at the international airport.
Nepal Olympic Committee president Jeevan Ram Shrestha, amid the program, expressed his belied that if the government ensures budget in time ahead of any international competition, Nepali athletes will perform better and get good results with better preparation.
A total of 12,500 athletes are competing for 481 gold medals at the Asian Games this year in a total of 40 games and 61 disciplines. 127 female and 126 male athletes will represent Nepal at the games which are being held from September 23 to October 8.
