Kathmandu, February 15:

A three-member Nepali karate team is on Monday leaving for London to take part in the 11th International Open Karate Championship to be held in Sheffield from February 28 to March 1.

The 10th South Asian Games gold medallist Kushal Shrestha will take part in the 55kg section, while his wife and international player Tara Gurung is scheduled to play in the 60kg category. “We are participating in the tournament on our own. We have not get any help from anyone,” said Kushal.

“The officials here also did not help us in our training,” he added. “We had our training to our level best as the association was indifferent towards us,” Kushal said. “We have taken this tournament as the preparation for the forthcoming 11th South Asian Games,” he added.

“Hope we will do good in London,” added Kushal. The SA Games is slated for Bangladesh in December. National Sports Council Member Ganga Bahadaur Thapa Magar bade farewell to the team.