Lalitpur Karate Federation honours medal winners

Lalitpur, May 31

Lalitpur District Karate Federation felicitated the South Asian Games medallists and senior coaches here on Tuesday.

President of Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba honoured the players who won medals in the regional games from eighth to 11th editions and coaches. Deepak Shrestha, who won gold medals in the eighth and ninth editions, received Rs 20,000, while Preeti Dangol, Rabi Maharjan, Ganga Ram Maharjan and Nita Rai — gold medallists in the eighth SAF Games held in Kathmandu in 19999 — received Rs 10,000 each.

Similarly, the 11th SA Games gold medallist Binod Shakya was honoured with Rs 10,000, while silver medal winner in 11th edition Binod Maharjan and 10th edition silver medallist Amrita Shakya received Rs 5,000 each. Likewise, Deuba handed over felicitation letters to former players and coaches Mahesh Joshi, Purendra Bikram Lakhe, Gopal Maharjan, Niwas Gopal Baidhya, Hira Singh Dangol, Manoj Nyanchho, Min Krishna Maharjan, Narayan Dev Rana and Dilendra Govinda Vaidhya.

Former Prime Minister Deuba lauded the contribution of athletes in making the nation proud in international arena. “The government has not put sports in priority and the budget of fiscal year 2016-17 also neglected sports. I will raise the issue with the government and will try my best to raise the funds for the development of sports,” Deuba said. Members of Parliament from the districts and Nepali Congress leaders were also present on the occasion. President of Lalitpur District Karate Federation Sanulal Maharjan thanked the sponsors and contributors in their bid to honour the players. Nepal National and International Players Association President Deepak Bista urged the government to formulate policies to lure new players.

International referee Min Krishna Maharjan remembered karate as one of the major disciplines in the eighth SAF Games when Nepal finished second behind India. “Karate and taekwondo were the two main sports that helped Nepal come second in the table in 1999. But sadly the government’s indifference towards sports led to the downfall of Nepali players and karate was even not included in the 12th South Asian Games,” he said. “The government should think about it.”