KATHMANDU: Nepali taekwondo players are leaving for Malaysia on Wednesday for a 21-day training as a part of their preparation for the 11th South Asian Games (SAG).

Olympian Deepak Bista (below 87kg), Ramesh Kumar Shrestha (below 80kg), Badri Nath Basnet (above 87kg), Dan Bahadur Airee (74kg), Ashish Maharjan (68kg) and Kumar Manandhar (63), Ayesha Shakya (53kg), Manita Shahi (57kg), Sabina Maharjan (49kg) and Yan Kumari Chaulagain (46kg) are the players to undergo training in Malaysia.

Three times SA Games gold medallist Bista said, "We have done our best here and hope to learn more in Malaysia," said the Nepali Olympian. The 10th SA Games silver winner Kumar is the second most experienced player in the team. He had also participated in the ninth edition in Pakistan.

Ashish participated in the first Asian Martial Arts Games in Bangkok last year. Coach Subhash KC is also expecting medals from Dan Bahadur and Badri Nath, who are making their maiden participation in the regional meet.

In the women's section Shahi is targeting her second gold in SA Games in the 57kg category. Shahi had won the gold in Sri Lanka in the 63kg category. Competing in the 49kg category, Ayesha had to content with a silver in Sri Lanka and will be eager to grab gold this time in the 53kg category.

Chaulagain missed the Sri Lanka tour in 2006 due to illness but will try to make the most of the second opportunity in Dhaka. Maharjan's chances also can not be ruled out with her experience in the international experience in the first Martial Arts Games. The Nepali team will be accompanied by team manager Dipendra Pokharel and will practice at various training centres in Malaysia. Nepal's Korean coach Kwon Hyouk Joung, who trained Bista during the Beijing Olympics, will join the team in Malaysia.