Handball to seek regional help

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Nepal Handball Association (NHA) will be seeking technical and financial assistance from the international bodies when the Asian Handball Federation Meeting for the Under-developed Countries in South Central Asian Zone (SCAZ) begins here on Wednesday.

“We will demand the Asian and South Asian Federation to help us in infrastructure development and technical manpower production during the meeting,” said NHA President Tej Gurung during a press conference here today. “Since we are hosting the first international meeting in Nepal, it would be beneficial for us in various aspects,” added Gurung.

Gurung said the meeting would also help them to get support from corporate houses. In all, 12 foreigners including Asian Handball Federation President Dr Ahmed Abu Al Lail from Kuwait and representatives from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Yemen will participate in the four-day meeting, informed the NHA.

Gurung said the meeting was part of plans and programmes of the handball governing body after the second general assembly elected a 17-member executive committee under his presidency in August last year. “We are working hard to revive the game. In the first phase we are trying to build cordial relationships with the international bodies,” said Gurung stressing the possibilities of the sport in Nepal.

In another context, Gurung said they have won the first phase bid to organise the South Central Asian Zone Handball Tournament in December. “Asian Federation has provided us the hosting rights in the first phase, but under the condition that we develop infrastructures,” said Gurung.

He said around 300 players will participate in the tournament featuring two events — Boys Under-21 and Girls U-20. Gurung said they have already written to the Nepal Army to provide the recently constructed Army Physical Training and Fitness Centre in Lagankhel as the venue.