As per the February cabinet decision Baidhya, the first Nepali athlete to earn qualification to the Olympics (Athens, 2004), was feted with Rs 1.5 million by the President at Sital Niwas.

Baidhya was honoured for her contribution towards taekwondo. Baidhya, who has two South Asian gold medals and one Asian Championships gold medal, applauded the government’s gesture. “It feels good when your hard work is acknowledged by the state,” said Baidhya. “It has inspired me to give more to the game. I also believe honours like this will motivate youngsters especially female players for whom it is difficult to take sports as their profession.”

Baidhya, who started playing taekwondo in 1991, retired in 2009. Her decorated career also include a silver and a bronze medal in Asian Taekwondo Championship, a gold medal in the 12th Asian Taekwondo Championship (ATC) in 1996 in Australia, a silver in 11th ATC in Philippines, and a bronze in 14th ATC in Hong Kong in 2000.

The programme, organised to mark the international women’s day, also saw footballers and spikers feted with cash rewards. A 14-member national women volleyball team, who finished second in the first South Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship in December last year, was awarded with Rs 25,000 each. Likewise, each members of the silver medallist women’s football team and the U-14 Regional Football Championship winners were rewarded with Rs 25,000 each.

President Yadav hailed the female athletes for bringing glory to the country despite poor sports infrastructure and limited resources. “Against all odds, you have done a commendable job,” said the President. Cricket coach Jagat Tamata, member of the national team that won ICC World Cricket League Division III in Malaysia, was also feted with Rs 1,00,000 at the programme.