Kathmandu, September 27 :

Karateka Deepak Shrestha, who was reportedly banned from participating in international events for two years for his indiscipline during his first round bout in the 60kg kumite at the 10th South Asian Games in Colombo on August 26, was included in the eight-member squad announced for the 15th Asian Games to be held in Doha in December.

Nepal Karate Federation (NKF), which submitted the players name to the National Sports Council (NSC) on Wednesday, decided to include Shrestha following the clearance by the Nepal Olympic Committte (NOC). The NOC letter said it has not yet received any confirmation regarding Shrestha’s indisciplinary action.

Nepali sports officials had confirmed Shrestha’s ban few days after his bout with the Sri Lankan opponent in Colombo. Players and officials gathered at the centre and protested against the biased decision during the bout. Shrestha had protested against the refeering by occupying the mat.

Shrestha was included for his potential and is the only one in the squad that failed to win medal in the SA Games. Due to the limitation of time constraint to conduct selection tournament, the NKF picked the 10th SA Games medal winners.

“We selected the squad in haste following the revised September 27 deadline,” said NKF secretary Purendra Bikram Lakhe. “We had set dates to conduct regional selection tournament on October 10-11 and the national tournament on October 16-17 considering the previous deadline of October 30 given by the organising committee,” said Lakhe. “The decision might infuriate players but we were compelled to come up with the decision so as to ensure our participation,” he added. The NOC received the changing of the deadline only fews days ago.

The 10th SA Games gold medallists Sulochana Sijakhwa was selected for the women’s individual kate and Kushal Shrestha was selected in 65kg kumite. Silver medallists Amrita Shakya (53kg) and Ram Bahadur Limbu (55kg) were also named for the Asian Games. Bronze medal winners in the 10th SAG Binod Shakya (80kg), Ram Saran Twanty (+80kg) and Krishna Kala KC (48kg) are also in the squad.

Bronze medallist in the 10th SAG, Robindra Dahal was the notable ommision while Nepal opted out to paticipate in team events. Dhakal, who fights in the 50kg, was unlucky as the lowest men’s weight category in the Asian Games is 55kg.

Nepal will take part in eight events out of the 12 included in the Asian Games. According to Lakhe, no country is allowed to take part in more than eight events.