KATHMANDU: Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) on Tuesday donated $5,000 to Prime Minister Relief Fund to help in the nation rebuilding following the April 25 earthquake.

NSJF President Ajay Phuyal handed over the cheque to PM Sushil Koirala at his residence in Baluwatar. The amount was a portion of the financial aid provided to the NSJF by International Sports Press Association (AIPS). The NSJF on Saturday had handed over Rs 1.25 million to the family members of sport journalist Suman Bhomjan, who lost his life in the earthquake.

Thanking the AIPS for the contribution in the government’s bid to rebuild the nation, PM Koirala assured of the full utilisation of the funds received from various individuals and associations. “I am really sad to know that you lost one of your friends in the quake,” said the PM.

“There are concerns of the amount and I will personally take the responsibility and make optimum use of the fund. I will not let your donations go into wrong hands,” Koirala added. The PM also urged the journalists to perform their duty of watchdog properly and said the government was ready to punish the culprits who have been doing wrong in relief distribution. “There are news about rotten food items being distributed to the victims. I will not tolerate that at any cost,” he added.

NSJF President Phuyal earlier briefed the PM about the situation of sports journalists. The NSJF team also consisted of AIPS-Asia Member Niranjan Rajbanshi, Vice-president Devendra Subedi, General Secretary Mahesh Acharya, Secretary Prakash Timalsina, Treasurer Pramod Pokharel along with members Prajwol Oli and Anjan Khadka.