Kathmandu, August 6 :

The National Sports Council’s board meeting on Saturday decided to change its logo and introduce sports anthem for the South Asian Games slated for August 18-28 in Sri Lanka.

The logo was designed by Dev Lal Moktan, who was awarded with Rs 10,000, while the NSC selected the Nepal Sports Anthem — Hami Nepali, Hami Kheladi (We are Nepali, We are Sportspersons) — written by Durga Lal Shrestha.“While trying to move towards the direction of change, we decided to change the existing logo and come up with a new anthem,” said Jeevan Ram Shrestha, member secretary of the NSC at a press meet today.

Shrestha informed that the Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) would also be using the same logo for the time being. “We found technical difficulties in changing the NOC logo, so we (NSC and NOC) have agreed to use the same logo during the SAG,” he added.

Regarding the anthem, Shrestha said that the council introduced the new one following Nepal government’s decision to nullify the earlier. “The previous anthem, which praises an individual, was cancelled by the Nepal government and we felt the need of the anthem that boosts the players’ morale during the tournament,” he added. He also added that the anthem would be publicised on Monday at the farewell ceremony — which will be addressed by seven-party and Maoist leaders — at NSC Covered Hall.

Shrestha also informed that the players and coaches’ daily allowance was raised to $20 from previously allocated $8. “We raised the players and coaches allowance so as to give some incentive to them,” said Shrestha, adding that a package for the medal winning players would be announced on Monday. A delegation of 323 persons — including 213 players and 67 coaches — will be taking part in 18 events in the SAG. Currently, Judo, Kabaddi (men’s team), Karate, Table Tennis, Boxing and Football teams are in foreign training camp.

Asked about the Squash team — that had left for Pakistan and returned home without reaching the destination — Shrestha said that the association officials were summoned for the clarification. “We had allocated budget for the tour but they didn’t even informed me about the incident. We have taken the issue seriously. We will take action against the irresponsible association and its officials,” he added.

NMBA refutes allegations :

KATHMANDU: Nepal Mountain Bike Association (NMBA) today refuted the allegations of some cyclists who had accused NMBA of irregularities in selecting the players for the 10th South Asian Games. Issuing a press release, the NMBA said that the selected players — Sanjeeb Thapa Chhetry and Nirjala Tamrakar — were genuine and were selected through competition. Meanwhile, NSC member secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha said he was preparing to take action against the NMBA for their misguiding information. “We knew later that the NMBA had given us incomplete information about the selection. We will take the concrete decision regarding the participation on Monday,” he added. — HNS