While the intrepid spirit of Nepali athletes must be commended, there is much room for reflection. The government spent Rs 60 million in preparing the players for their international showing, but the performance of Nepali athletes was disappointing. After a rash of lacklustre showings, much was expected from the Nepali national cricket team, given their recent stellar accomplishments. But they too lost to arch-rivals Afghanistan in the quarter-finals, pinning all hopes on Tamang for a medal. Fortunately, Tamang, a kata player, came through with a bronze. Nepal placed last on the medal table, but eight Asian nations failed to win any.

To add insult to injury, three Nepali athletes disappeared in Incheon. Five days into the Games, Sepak Takraw, a Southeast Asian version of kick volleyball, player Aman Pode went missing. Subsequently, two more athletes-wushu players Sombir Tamang and Niranjan Ale Magar-disappeared from the Games villages. And this is not the first time that athletes have deserted their teams after competing in international games. In 2002, when the Asian Games were held in Busan in South Korea, 18 Nepali players disappeared.

Despite the funding, the over-sized contingent and the dedication of the players, much is clearly lacking in the Nepali team, the least of which include corruption and patronage. But sheer mismanagement and vested interests were evident in the tussle between two rival karate federations-one recognised by international sports committees and the other recognised by the government-over the fielding of players. Both federations had adamantly registered their own players for the Asiad, only coming together at the very last moment. In the ensuing confusion, stellar karatekas Ganga Adhikari, an international gold medallist and Chanchala Danuwar, a karate veteran, were registered as officials instead of competitors. Tamang was drafted in to replace Danuwar at the last moment.

Given this dismal state of affairs, there is a need for the Nepal Sports Council to get its act together and exercise its mandated authority. It must work on resolving ugly rivalries, such as the one between the two karate federations, and must make sure that patronage does not come before talent and experience. Attention must also be paid to developing domestic infrastructure and providing athletes with a proper training regimen. Furthermore, fielding such a large contingent does not seem to have worked for Nepal. While the argument can be made that Nepali players will gain international exposure, it would perhaps have been wiser for Nepal to concentrate on a few disciplines where its chances of medals are greater. This would reduce costs while also making sure that the medal prospects get the attention they deserve. Accomplished players would get national recognition would be less likely to desert the games for better opportunities.