Kathmandu, July 24:

President of the Irani National Zurkhaneh Association Edayati announced a $200,000 assistance to Nepal Zurkhaneh Sports Association to build an academy during the inauguration of the second Asian Zurkhaneh Sports Championship here today.

More than 150 players from 23 countries are participating in the tournament organised by the NZSA.

Players will vie for the 18 gold medals in the three-day tournament.

Maoist chairman Prac-handa inaugurated the tournament. President of International Zurkhaneh Sports Federation and former Vice President of Iran Mohsen Mehralizadeh handed over souvenir to Prachanda.

Iranian players demonstrated various Zurkhaneh events during the inauguration. The championship kicks off from Friday.