KATHMANDU: The Nepal Taekwondo Association (NTA) installed their newly elected executive committee here today following their first ever executive committee elections held in Birgunj on October 31.

In an installation programme at the National Sports Council (NSC) covered hall, the committee was introduced to the Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Chanda Chaudhary, Nepal Olympic Committee President Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan and NSC Acting Member Secretary Min Krishna Maharjan.

The October 31 election has elected Prakash Shumsher Rana as the unanimously. Rana was the former vice-president of the NTA led by Rukma Shumsher Rana. General Secretary Deep Raj Gurung and treasurer Rabi Raj Singh had also retained their posts unopposed. Additional Inspector General of Police AIG Kalyan Kumar Timsina, Sanjeeb Regmi, Sunil Malla, Bhoj Bahadur Shah and Kiran Baidhya are the vice-presidents of the NTA. Timsina and Baidhya are the newly appointed vice-presidents while Shahi was the former member of the NTA.

Among the executive committee members are Parleeta Malla, Nand Kumar Rai, Arjun B.K, Dil Bahadur Oli, Bhupendra Bhandari, Dipendra Pokharel, Ishwor Man Bajracharya, Sriman Thapa, Suman Ghale, Shyam Dangol, Harishwor Pokhrel, Sangina Baidhya, Dipak Bista, Shiva Shankar Patel, Rabi Thapa and Sanjeev Tuladhar. Twelve were the elected members while remaining 12 were nominated after the election.

The newly elected president Rana said he has a big task ahead to maintain the status of Nepali taekwondo gained so far in the South Asian region. However, he said that he will be focusing on the 11th South Asian Games in Dhaka slated for January 29 to February 9 next year. Rana also expected to get support from his executive committee which includes the Olympians Deepak Bista and Sangina Baidhya. Outgoing President Rukma Shumsher handed over the official documents to the newly elected president. The NTA also presented Rukma Shumsher with a memento for his contribution to the sport.

Nepali taekwondo was operated by currently non-existent Nepal Martial Arts Association (NMAA) which was established in 1982. Headed by the-then NSC Member Secretary Sharad Chandra Shah, the NMAA was also the governing body for Shito-Ryu and Kyukushin Karate.

After the three sports disciplines formed their own association, Udaya Shumsher Rana headed the newly established NTA from 1989 to 1994. It was the first election since Rukma Shumsher Rana took over the NTA reigns in 1995.