KATHMANDU:Nepal Swimming Association (NSA) today rescheduled the 15th National Open and Age-group Swimming Championships for September 8 to 9 here at the Satdobato Swimming Complex.

The NSA said that it was forced to reschedule the event because it coincided with the Pulsar Player of the Year Awards. The championships was originally slated for September 9-11. The Nepal Sports Journalists Forum’s programme is slated for September 10 at the Rastriya Nachghar.

“Since swimmer Karishma Karki has been nominated in two categories for the awards, it could affect both the tournament and the award function,” NSA said in the statement. Karishma, who gave an outstanding performance in the fifth National Games winning all 12 events she participated in, has been nominated in two categories — the Popular Player of the Year and the Best Player of the Year. NSJF is giving away the awards in seven different categories.

A total of 320 swimmers — 75 in

Open and 245 in the Age-group categories — are participating in the tournament. The tournament also serves as the basis for the 11th South Asian Games (SAG) qualification. The SA Games is scheduled for January 29 to February 9 in Dhaka. NSA will select 16 swimmers — eight each in men’s and women’s events — for the regional meet.