Kathmandu, May 1

Nepal Sports Journalists Forum and its Coordination Committees across the country today organised condolence meets to remember Suman Bhomjan, who was killed in the devastating earthquake on April 25 (Baisakh 12) last year.

The body of Bhomjan, founder president of NSJF Makawanpur Coordination Committee, was recovered seven days after the tremor struck the country claiming more than 8,500 lives. Amidst chaos and numerous aftershocks, NSJF and his family members took out his body from rubbles on Baisakh 19 with the help of Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Nepal APF along with local volunteers.

The 30-year-old Bhomjan was associated with government-run Gorkhapatra daily as a sports journalist. President of Federation of Nepali Journalists Dr Mahendra Bista remembered Bhomjan as a enthusiastic journalist with an aim of making his name through the profession. “I found him energised all the time and he was a very hard working journalist,” said Bista.

National Sports Council Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista, President of Nepal Olympic Committee Jeevan Ram Shrestha, General Secretary Lama Tendi Sherpa, former NOC President Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan, General Secretary of Nepal Weightlifting Association Parth Sarathi Sen Gupta, President of Nepal National and International Players Association Deepak Bista offered condolences to Bhomjan.

NSJF President Ajay Phuyal said Bhomjan was a member of the sports fraternity. “We find it hard to believe that Bhomjan is not with us today. He was not just a sports journalists, he was an intimate friend and a family member. Unfortunately we could not save him and losing Bhomjan was an irreparable loss for whole sports fraternity,” said Phuyal. General Secretary of Nepal Golf Association Tashi Ghale, President of Nepal Boxing Association Rajeev Shrestha, President of Nepal Archery Association Deepak Raj Gurung, President of Nepal Judo Association, and CEO of All Nepal Football Association Indra Man Tuladhar were also present on the occasion.

In Dhangadhi, NSJF Kailali Coordination Committee announced the Suman Bhomjan Memorial Sports Award from next year. President Sitaram Ojha said the committee would award one among sports journalists, players and coaches of the district on Baisakh 19 every year. NNIPA Kailali President Prakash Chand, sports journalists, players and sports officials were present on the occasion.

Likewise, NSJF Chitwan Coordination Committee lit candles in memory of Bhomjan. President Binod Babu Rijal lauded Bhomjan’s contribution in Nepali sports and said the loss was irreparable. FNJ Chitwan President Hari Prasad Pokhrel, former president of NSJF Chitwan Coordination Committee Dipendra Baduwal among others remembered Bhomjan.

Also, NSJF Pokhara Coordination Committee and NSJF Makawanpur Coordination Committee organised condolence meets.