This is with reference to the news story “Ministry of Youth and Sports rewards women cricketers” (THT, December 8, Page 12).

Being a sports lover, particularly a fan of cricket, it is really good news the government has something good for the promotion of sports. We should thank the Government for taking this step to uplift the Nepali cricket and all other sports.

Despite the country having huge potential for cricket and football, players of these areas are still lagging far behind the players of other countries even in South Asia, let alone compete at international level.

The government must come up with specific strategies for the promotion and development of those sports that can fetch name and fame at international level. Sports are a sector which cannot grow at the desirable level without heavy and long-term investment on them.

Despite having so many constraints Nepali women cricketers have shown enthusiasm but they need to go a long way towards winning any of the regional or international games. They are still in their initial stage of development.

They tried their best for spectacular performance for the nation at ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier for Asia Region held in Hong Kong last month. Furthermore, if the government takes it seriously to improve the sport sector, its future is bright.

It is the facilities to the sports persons, encouragement from the government’s side, and appropriate environment for any of the sports that determine the level of Nepali sports.

Our players cannot perform in an excellent manner without support from the State, families and, more than that, individual talent and dedication to the sports they choose. The State cannot produce Messi in football even if it makes huge investment.

But it can help enhance the inner quality and talent of a Messi by providing him with every facility he needs to explore his potential.

Magar Bharat Khotange, Kathmandu

Good training

Recently the students of St. Mary’s School were given safety training on the school’s premises at Jawalakhel.

The Paritran Risk Management Solutions (PRISMS) and Association of St. Marty’s Alumni Nepal (ASMAN) had organised the training through the initiation called ‘Fight Back’ for the purpose of empowering the girls.

Well, the main purpose of the programme is to impart knowledge of self-protection in order to save themselves from sexual harassment and violence which they come across mainly out of their houses, in the workplace, public place and public transport and other areas where they have to deal with many other people, including strangers.

It’s a kind of training where they are made strong enough to fight against those who try to exploit them. Such a kind of training is being imparted mainly to girls residing in urban areas.

Pratik Shrestha, Baneshwor