Nepal Government honors South Asian Games medalists

The government honored the 12th South Asian Games medal winning players, coaches and national associations with a total cash prize of Rs 39.15 million at the Prime Minister’s Residence in Baluwatar on Thursday.

Prime Minister Oli rewarded the sportsperson with a cash prize and letter of appreciation. They were rewarded by the government six months after completion of the SAG.

Nepal had bagged three gold, 23 silver and 34 bronze medals during the South Asian game held in Guwahati and Shillong of India in February.

Wushu player Nima Gharti Magar, judoka Phupu Lhamu Khatri and the men’s football team had won gold medals in South Asian Games.

As per the previous announcement of the National Sports Council, the gold, silver and bronze medal winners in individual events were given Rs 500,000, Rs 300,000 and Rs 200,000 respectively. Similarly each member of team events were given Rs 200,000, Rs 150,000 and Rs 100,000 respectively for the top three finish.

Judoka Phupu Lhamu Khatri and wushuka Nima Gharti Magar, who won individual gold medals in the SA Games, received Rs 500,000 each, while the U-23 football team members got Rs 200,000 apiece.

The gold winning coach and assistant coach were given Rs 300,000 and Rs 150,000, silver winners were awarded Rs 200,000 and Rs 100,000 and bronze winners were handed Rs 100,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively.

Similarly, gold, silver and bronze winning associations were rewarded with Rs 500,000, Rs 300,000 and Rs 200,000 respectively.

PM Oli congratulated all the players and also wished luck for upcoming tournaments.

“Sports is a field where we can never be satisfied. There is always a room to improve. We also can do better but I know the state has not been able to provide the athletes with proper training,” said Oli.

“The players have preferred foreign employment rather than staying back here because of the lack of opportunities,” he added.

PM Oli accepted that his government could not give adequate attention to sports. “I had a lot of things to do in these nine months, so I could not give proper attention to sports. But I am always with sports and athletes and I will do whatever I can from my side even if I am not in government,” he added.

“There are some sports-related decisions pending and I will not leave before doing that,” he said.

Meanwhile, the gold medal winning members of men’s football team will be given additional amount of Rs 300,000. They were given Rs 200,000 on Thursday as per the announcement of the NSC. However, Minister for Youth and Sports Satya Narayan Mandal had declared to provide each member of the squad with Rs 500,000 after the team’s victory parade. Speaking at the program, NSC Member Secretary Keshav Kumar Bista informed that they will be given additional 300,000 after endorsing it through cabinet meeting.