Forced to train on karate mat with taekwondo pads and boxing gloves

Lalitpur, November 27

With just four days remaining for the 13th South Asian Games, Nepali wushu players are training with makeshift equipment, thanks to National Sports Council’s inability to import necessary equipment on time.

As NSC remained indifferent to its plea for updated equipment, the Nepal Wushu Federation managed old karate mat for taulo training and taekwondo pads and guards and boxing gloves for sanshou players. “We have got nothing as of now,” said taulo coach Prakash Lama. “We had submitted a list of equipment to NSC four months ago but our plea has fallen on deaf ears,” he added.

“We are training players on karate mat, which is harder than the one meant for wushu. It’s not easy to train on this mat as players need to jump high and land on it. Players might get hurt or injured, but we have been training on it as there is no other option,” said Lama. “We are preparing on a different surface and players will face problems in performing on proper mat,” added Lama.

NWF Vice-president Ranjit Maharjan said players were provided with nothing but accommodation and food. “We have been following up with NSC for the last four months but have drawn a blank,” said Maharjan. “We could not utilise the benefit of home ground. We could have set certain strategies had we received world class equipment on time. But our players did not get the chance to familiarise with equipment and gear,” he added. “We salute players for their discipline and sportsmanspirit, since they are undergoing intense training crossing all hurdles,”

he added.

Maharjan added NSC had allocated Rs 350,000 to decorate the venue and conduct events. “The amount is not sufficient for decorating this hall for an international tournament,” he added. NSC has fixed Nepali Army Spo-rts Complex covered hall in Lalitpur to host wushu tournament.

The 12th South Asian Games gold medallist Nima Gharti Magar said players were training in trying circumstances. “We have been training on a karate mat that is past its prime. We are trying to adjust with what is there for us and give our best,” said Gharti Magar.

Coach Ganesh Aryal said he was conducting sanshou training with taekwondo and boxing equipment, apart from players’ personal equipment. “We requested for new equipment a long time ago but have yet to receive it. We have been using pads and gloves meant for taekwondo players and boxers,” said Aryal.

He too rued not cashing in on the home advantage. “Even if the equipment and gears arrive now, players won’t be able to get the feel of it,” he added.

Deepak Hamal, a taulo player,  said performance of players differed on different surfaces. “It’s not the same to perform on karate mat and real arena. Proper wushu arena is much softer than karate mat. Jumping and balancing on a totally new surface is not the same,” said Hamal, who finished ninth among 56 participants in China.

Another wushuka, Juni Rai, played down lack of facilities. “We have arrived at a stage where we should not give attention to the equipment or gear. I think we need to focus on winning gold medals, ignoring everything else,” said Rai. “We had good training and I am confident of giving my best under any circumstances,” she added.