NOC hints at SAG postponement

Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) president Jeevan Ram Shrestha on Wednesday hinted at the postponement of the South Asian Games (SAG) slated for March next year in Nepal. NOC hints at SAG postponement

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Published at : September 20, 2018

Updated at : September 20, 2018 08:39

Kathmandu

Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) president Jeevan Ram Shrestha on Wednesday hinted at the postponement of the South Asian Games (SAG) slated for March next year in Nepal.

The NOC President indicated on the possibility of SAG postponement while speaking at the annual general assembly of the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) in Kathmandu. As of now Nepal are set to host the multi-sports biennial event in Pokhara and Kathmandu on March 9-18. “Rumours are rife that Nepal will lose the hosting rights of the 13th SAG due to its inadequate preparations,” said Shrestha. “For now, Nepal are the hosts and the event will take some time in 2019 if not in March,” added Shrestha, who is also the president of the South Asian Olympic Council.

The biennial event was originally scheduled for 2018 but was pushed a year later upon Nepal’s request as it was still reeling after the devastating 2015 earthquake that killed thousands of people. However, Nepal still faces race against the time to complete its preparations especially putting infrastructure in place to host the event. If it goes ahead Nepal will be hosting the Games for the third time after 1984 and in 1999. One of the infrastructures undergoing renovations is Dashrath Stadium which will be holding the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games.

Meanwhile, NSJF feted senior journalist Sitaram Agrahari with annual NSJF Sports Journalism Award 2018. The founder coordinator of the NSJF, Agrahari has been active in journalism for more that three decades. He is also the former editor-in-chief and general manager of Gorkhapatra. Apart from the letter of appreciation the award carried a cash prize of Rs 15,000. Former recipients of the award include Shyam Chitrakar, Puskar Lal Shrestha, P Kharel and Gopal Basnet.

Dil Bahadur Tamang was rewarded with Youth Sports Journalism motivational award, presented for the first time by NSJF. He received a mini iPad and appreciation letter. NOC president Shrestha, who is also a parliamentarian handed over the award during the general assembly.